Cost Savings

For Individuals and Families

referrals to low-cost legal and counselling resources help callers avoid costly fees
families have more money for food and rent when they are given info to access Make Tax Time Pay, Tools for Schools, and Coats for Kids programs
referrals for employment, training and child care make it easier for people to get into the workforce and increase their monthly income
“time is money” and 211 saves time and frustration in navigating complex human services

For Employers

211 is available 24/7, reducing the need for employees to make as many personal calls during work hours
the more supports that employees have in the community the less likely they are to be absent from work or distracted by personal problems at work

For Service Providers

front-line staff save time and energy, and help to empower clients, when they refer to 211 for resources outside their areas of expertise
duplication of services is reduced when service providers don’t have to create and update their own resource lists
helping professionals use 211 to increase their knowledge of community resources so that they can better assist their clients
211 increases appropriate referrals to agencies and decreases the amount of time needed to answer and re-direct inappropriate calls

For Governments (and Ultimately Taxpayers)

families who are connected quickly to resources for addictions, mental health and family violence may not require more costly services in the future
211 statistics can be used to track social trends and to respond more efficiently to community needs
211 helps (indirectly) to publicize government-funded community programs and to ensure a range of suitable applicants
211 reduces the number of inappropriate calls to 911 and 1-800 lines both of which are costly to operate and maintain

Last updated: June 25, 2009