211 phone service
Government on Ontario offers a 211service that allows you to be connected with certified information and referral specialist who is trained to assess needs, answer questions accurately, and advice about appropriate local services. It is a three digit phone number service, open 24/7 and in more than 150 languages, provides personal and confidential information to community and social services across Ontario.
It doesn’t replace or replicate any existing services and is simply a service which tenders a single entry point for non-emergency City services and programs such as
· Abuse (including sexual assault), Child and family services
· Consumer protection and complaints
· Emergency and crisis services; emergency shelters
· Financial assistance, employment, education and training
· Health, food and clothing, homelessness, housing
· General community services, services for persons with disabilities
· Government officials
· Settlement and newcomer services, language classes, multicultural associations
· Home support and legal assistance
· Seniors and youth services, etc.
Even though the call centre is located in Windsor, it works with databases provided by agencies in London. Since it is a new system; there are bound to be glitches. If you discover that the 211 call takers have provided misinformation regarding any service we deliver please contact Sarah Axford at ext. 4701 or by e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and provide:
· Phone number used by the caller
· Date and time of call to 211
· Name of operator who handled the 211 call
· Details of the caller’s situation and referrals provided.
If you need to transfer a call to 211 from a work phones, you must dial the toll-free number 1-866-686-0045. TELUS and Bell are working to make the necessary changes so that we can transfer a call by dialling 211 in the same manner that we can transfer a caller to 911 and we will advise you when this change is made.
www.211ontario.ca
