Santa Clara residents can now connect to hundreds of community services simply by dialing 2-1-1 on their telephones, thanks to a new service launched by United Way Silicon Valley.
2-1-1 is a free, confidential service that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in English,
Spanish, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Mandarin and 140 other languages. For everyday needs or in times of crisis, 2-1-1 provides the public with streamlined access to critical health and human services, including food and shelter, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention, job training, child and elder care, health care, youth programs, and so much more. It also serves as a link for individuals seeking to volunteer, provide resources, or assist during a crisis in Santa Clara County.

Specially trained, multilingual call-center specialists offer a friendly voice at the end of the phone, accurate and up-to-date information, and appropriate, culturally sensitive referrals. The call center is staffed locally by a 2-1-1 manager, 2-1-1 certified call specialist, and a 2-1-1 resource database specialist.