For Community Service Providers
211 is a resource for you and your clients
Service providers can leverage 211 to support clients’ needs in areas such as basic needs, legal assistance, public benefits, job training opportunities, and more. 211 gathers information on resources from across Minnesota and can even help locate services in other parts of the state. It is common for service providers to call 211 on behalf of or alongside a client. 211 can be shared as a 24/7 resource for clients to independently access resources online or talk to a live person who will help assess their needs.
Providers across Minnesota can order 211 materials to display in a lobby/bulletin board, include with participant paperwork or share at community events.
If you work in one of these fields, consider 211 as a resource for your daily interactions:
- Healthcare
- Education/Youth
- Faith Communities
- Social work
- Human Resources
- Law enforcement/first responder
- Utility services
- Libraries, etc.
Be included in the 211 Database
Help Minnesotans find your organization by providing 211 with information about your service offerings. Your efforts will ensure those who contact 211 looking for services like yours will not only be told about your organization, but understand program eligibility requirements, how/when/where to access your programs and what documents to bring with them, as applicable.
211 decides whether to add an organization to the database based on our Inclusion/Exclusion Policy. Generally speaking, nonprofit social service organizations and government programs are included, and for-profit companies are not, however, there are exceptions in some cases.
Please contact 211 to add your organization to the database or to inquire about inclusion criteria.
Update your listing in the 211 Database
To check your agency’s current 211 profile, simply search for your organizations name in the search bar and click on the organization’s name in the search results. You can contact 211 to make changes to your information listed.
Once each year, your agency will be contacted by 211 for formal updates. In between annual updates, please let us know of changes to your service offerings, address, hours, etc, so we can ensure the most accurate information is shared with community members, increasing the likelihood of a successful match between need and resource, and minimizing frustration for your agency and clients alike.
Looking for a list of resources?
Information can change very quickly in the social service sector. In our experience, as soon as a list of resources is printed, there is a good chance it is already out of date. Therefore, 211 does not provide hard copies or static electronic lists of resources. If there is an opportunity where you think 211 resources could helpful, please contact 211updates@gtcuw.org to discuss potential options.
Would you like 211 staff to attend a meeting or event?
211 staff are available to attend community events to share information about 211. If you have a group of service providers or other community helpers, 211 staff also provide training for people interested in more deeply understanding how 211 works. If you would like to request 211 staff presence at an event or meeting you are hosting, please contact 211.