Programs and Services

2-1-1 Orange County’s GET HELP Connection Center

Connection Center – This program is staffed by multilingual Information and Referral Specialists who identify the root cause of individual and family problems and connect clients who call, text or email with a wide range of resources that meet all underlying needs, in order to prevent personal or family crises.

Homeless Housing Navigation – As part of the Family Solutions Collaborative, 211OC has Housing Navigation Specialists who help families seeking assistance with housing, and helping bridge the gap between services in collaboration with other agencies.  The housing line is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. by calling 949-486-8525.

Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) – Federal law requires that all communities have an HMIS with the capacity to collect unduplicated counts of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. 211OC manages Orange County’s HMIS, which is used by all homeless service providers. Through HMIS, our community is able to collect information from projects serving homeless families and individuals, share data, perform needs analyses, and establish funding priorities.

Disaster Services - In addition to our primary role connecting Orange County residents to the help they need, 2-1-1 Orange County is involved in local disaster planning, response and recovery. 2-1-1 is a simple, easily remembered telephone number set aside by the Federal Communications Commission for the public’s use in accessing community services 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week. The need for such services often increases dramatically during and following disasters.

Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) - In response to severe and potentially dangerous weather conditions, a power company preemptively shuts off power in high risk areas (in California, it’s most often to reduce fire risk). We partner with the two power companies in Orange County, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric, to inform the public about upcoming PSPS events.

Family Resource Center Information & Referral – In-person Information & Referral Specialists provide navigation and connection to local programs at Family Resource Centers.

CalFresh - We have a team of trained application assistors that provide friendly, compassionate assistance to those wishing to apply for CalFresh benefits manner. Our assistors also provide referrals for free food programs. (link to the CalFresh Collaborative page)

Emergency Rental Assistance – 211OC is providing outreach and application assistance for multiple rental assistance programs in Orange County. These programs, funded by the federal government are a direct response to COVID-19 and are preventing evictions for thousands of individuals and families in our community. (link to the Housing Is Key website and the Santa Ana application)

Help Me Grow - Provides information, referral and care coordination for families with concerns about development, behavior or learning regarding their young children. Care Coordinators help connect families and children to developmental, behavioral or learning resources by providing care coordination with intake, triage, referrals, linkage to services and follow up.

Workforce Development – Provides training and work experience for individuals who are new to the workforce, have been out of the workforce for an extended period of time, have inconsistent work experience, or who have developmental disabilities. Participants are placed with 211OC for three months at which time some are hired by the agency or move on to other employment opportunities.

211Ride – Helps community members in need of transportation services navigate public transportation and find the most efficient method to meet their needs.