Information and Referral Services
With trained professionals available to listen 24/7, 211 Virginia is a free, confidential service that can help connect you with the local programs and resources you need.
Information services by the numbers
- 116k requests for help.
- 300,000 referrals to helping programs and services.
- 86,000 unique individuals assisted.
Services
211 offers information on a lot of local services, including:
- Food pantries
- Quality childcare
- Physical and mental health resources
- Services for older persons and persons with disabilities
- And more!
Tools
Agencies
211 Virginia currently maintain up-to-date, comprehensive information on more than 18,000 health and human service programs in the state of Virginia.
We encourage all nonprofits, businesses, community-based agencies, and government entities that provide health and human services to list their organizations on the 211 Virginia database. Want to list or update your agency? Go to “Update/Add Your Agency” on the 211 Virginia website.
211 Counts
211 Counts provides real-time, searchable presentations, offering a snapshot of community-specific needs and enabling individuals, community leaders, and service agencies to check trends and share information. 211 Counts is free and accessible to the public. Learn more about the most pressing needs in your community with 211 Counts.
211 Virginia University
Looking for training opportunities, downloadable reports, and other educational guides and materials? 211 Virginia University 211 Virginia University is a one-stop-resource for nonprofits, government agencies, and faith-based organizations in Virginia.
Certifications
Inform USA Certification
Inform USA is an international association of over 5,000 individual and organizational members. Inform USA has developed clear and consistent professional standards that address each aspect of quality I&R provision to ensure a uniform level of quality and professionalism across the board. The Inform USA Certification Program awards professional credentials to individuals who successfully complete the appropriate Inform USA Certification Program for I&R practitioners. Certification is an acknowledgment of demonstrated competence in the field of information and referral. All 211 Virginia Community Resource Specialists work to achieve and maintain certification.
NIMS Certification
211 Virginia Community Resource Specialists also pursue National Incident Management System (NIMS) Certification. NIMS training aims to provide a common approach for managing incidents – including natural hazards, terrorist activities, and other human-created disasters – regardless of size or complexity. NIMS training and implementation ensures that departments and agencies at all levels of the government, non-government organizations, and the private sector are able to work together seamlessly. 211 plays an active role in times of emergency and disaster by providing citizens with important information regarding disaster response and recovery.