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National I&R Number-211
 

Beginning July 6, 2000, 232-HELP began operating under the dialing code 211 with the financial support of Lafayette General Medical Center. 211 is not a new agency or program, just an easier way to access 232-HELP. BellSouth customers calling from Lafayette, Acadia, St. Martin, Iberia and Vermilion Parishes have access to 211. St. Landry Parish will be added in the near future. (Callers from outside of Lafayette Parish do not have to pay long distance charges when calling 211.)

211 eliminates confusion, giving people one simple, easy to remember number to call when they are in crisis. They don’t have to remember a seven digit phone number or search for one; some people in crisis are not able to search for phone numbers at all. And many persons in need are illiterate, incapacitated, travelers who don’t know where to turn, elderly, or non-English speaking. 211 is easily communicated and remembered.

On July 21, 2000 the Federal Communications Commission granted a 1998 petition requesting that nationwide 211 be designated solely for use by the public to access services providing free information and referrals regarding health, human services and governmental agencies. All fifty states and Canada are in various stages of implementing or researching this use of 211. Our area was the fourth in the nation to utilize 211 for information and referral purposes.