Greetings,

Most of us know that in the case of an emergency, we can call 911. But did you know there is a number you can call if you are feeling lost, overwhelmed or just need to find available resources? There is. It’s 211.

NE211 Contact Center is a statewide helpline, offering confidential assistance to get Nebraskans in touch with appropriate resources to provide the support needed. And it’s free. The NE211 helpline is manned twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by professionally trained, caring individuals who can evaluate your situation and recommend the services available to you. NE211 is a one-stop referral service that can provide individuals with information on thousands of resources, including health and human services, legal services, community services, disaster services, aging services and government programs. It is accessible for disabled individuals and can assist individuals in over 150 languages.

In 2018, a total of 69,066 Nebraskans reached out to the NE211 Contact Center for assistance. That number has grown significantly with over 240,000 people seeking help through the center in 2021. The origin of the calls span across the entire state – more than 350 calls came from legislative district 14 alone. Over half of the calls statewide were individuals seeking help with housing needs, followed by utility assistance, employment, health care and food. With the dramatic increase in the volume of calls to the center, operating costs have also increased. The NE211 Contact Center is a public-private partnership operated by the United Way of the Midlands, funded by state funds and private donations.

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance for daily living and don’t know where to turn, call 211. You can find out more about the NE211 Contact Center on its website: https://ne211.org/.