211FactSheet National Nunavut

211 Fact Sheet
(Nunavut)
What is 211?
As Canada’s most comprehensive and reliable source of information on
government and community-based health and social services, 211 helps
Canadians navigate complex networks of human services quickly and
easily, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in 150+ languages. 211 services
are always free and confidential.
How did 211 get started?

2001 - In response to the application submitted by United Way Centraide Canada and its partners, United Way Greater
Toronto and Community Information Toronto, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
(CRTC) assigned 2-1-1 as the toll-free helpline for information about community, social, health and government services.
2002 - The first 211 service opened in Toronto.
2004 - 211 launched in Edmonton by United Way of the Alberta Capital Region and the Support Network.
2005 - 211 launched in Calgary by United Way of Calgary and the Distress Centre Calgary.
2012 - Over ¾ of a million people called 211.
2013 - 211 launch for residents of Nova Scotia.
By summer 2020, 211 service is available in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba (online only), Ontario,
Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and most of Quebec.
Where is 211 available now?

211 has been available in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba (online only), Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince
Edward Island, and most of Quebec.
As part of its COVID-19 response, the Government of Canada provided funding to United Way Centraide Canada to
increase the capacity and expand access to 211 services for all Canadian residents. With this investment, the 211 phone
service is now available in Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and
Labrador. In Quebec, services are available in the Greater Montreal area, and in the Capitale-Nationale and Chaudière-
Appalaches area, with plans to roll out phone and online services across the entire province in early December 2020.
Who is 211 for?

211 serves all people and is particularly useful for those who experience barriers to accessing services. Many 211 callers
have multiple service needs, who often don’t know where to start to look for support and need help in navigating complex
service systems.
211 also helps service providers understand community needs and get accurate information about their programs to the
public, as resources on 211 databases are maintained by highly trained Resource Specialists. Frontline workers, such as
staff of community organizations, health professionals and teachers, can use 211 to connect their clients with community
resources.
Data drives planning and innovation in both government and community services sector. 211 captures valuable
information about the needs of callers, and the services that are available, or not available, in local communities,
offering unique insights that are helpful to inform planning and decision making.
How can you reach 211?

Across Canada, 211 is offered through a variety of ways, including phone, chat, text, and website.
As of October 2020, residents of Nunavut can dial the three-digit number 2-1-1, from their cell phones and land lines, to
speak with Community Navigators, and receive service information and referrals when they need them.
How is the 211 phone service for Nunavut set up?
The 211 phone service in Nunavut is provided by 211 Alberta/Canadian Mental Health Association - Edmonton Region
(CMHA). All aspects related to the delivery of 211 services are strictly guided by standards set by the Alliance of
Information & Referral Systems (AIRS). These standards are the foundation of information and referral (I&R) service
delivery and the prime benchmark of quality I&R. Resources in the databases that support 211 phone services are
indexed according to the 211 Taxonomy, which enables Community Navigators who answer 211 calls to quickly and
easily identify appropriate resources that may best serve the needs of callers.
211 Alberta/CMHA is United Way’s natural partner in the expansion of 211 services, with a long history of providing
information and referral services, a strong track record, the necessary technological base, a professional staff, and an
advanced infrastructure to support answering calls from anywhere in Canada. CMHA is certified by AIRS, their
Community Navigators receive comprehensive training and ongoing coaching, and they benefit from quality assurance
measures to ensure they have appropriate support and guidance to be successful in their roles. Effort is also underway to
recruit a new 211 Community Navigator in Nunavut, through a partnership with the Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Helpline.
The 2020-21 operational costs of 211 Nunavut are provided by United Way Centraide Canada, through the Government
of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund. As United Way continues to raise awareness of the 211 phone service
across Nunavut, government and community stakeholders will be engaged to help with broadly sharing information about
211, connecting service providers to 211 for adding their information in the 211 database, and discussing how 211 can
complement, and make referrals and transfers to existing helplines, and specialized crisis/emergency lines. For example,
Kids Help Phone provided tremendous help by sharing their database, when CMHA began the work of updating and
enhancing an existing 211 database for Nunavut that was set up a few years ago. CMHA is also seeking to connect with
government and community service providers to discuss how 211 can complement and support existing services.
What are the key benefits offered by 211?

211 has been operating in Canada since 2002, growing its reach over almost 20 decades, and most recently, to all
Provinces and Territories. Significant investments have been made by all levels of government, United Ways, and
private sector partners to build this importance component of Canada’s social infrastructure.
 Simple and trusted service navigation for those who need help
211 connects people to the right information and services, strengthens Canada’s health and human services,
and helps Canadians become more engaged with their communities. 211 acts as the front door to help those in
need understand and access the services available to them quickly and easily, in a trusted, free, multilingual
and confidential manner, available 24/7. People become better informed and prepared in accessing services.
 Data curation for social researchers

211 maintains comprehensive inventories of government, health, social and community programs and services
available across Canada, as well as demographic and needs data about those who use 211 service. 211 data
help to illuminate emerging service needs, identify resource or program gaps, and shed light on barriers to
service access.
 Evidence based reporting for social planners and decision makers

211 service partners collect and maintain high quality and standardized data about availability of services, as well as
service needs. 211 data and analytics are regularly shared with other service providers and decision makers to
inform social policies and investments; and reduce duplication of data collection. 211 provides planners and
decision-makers with more information about community needs, geographic and demographic trends, and the impact
of the referrals to guide evidence based service delivery planning and investments for more responsive human
services systems.
For more information, please contact:
Judy Shum
National Director 211 and Community Partnerships
E: [email protected]
P: 613-236-7041 (1-800-267-8221) x2527
United Way Centraide Canada

116 Albert, Suite 900, Ottawa, ON K1P 5G3
unitedway.ca

211FactSheet National Nunavut

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

211FactSheet National Nunavut

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

211 Fact Sheet

How did 211 get started?

Where is 211 available now?

Who is 211 for?

How can you reach 211?

What are the key benefits offered by 211?

 Data curation for social researchers

 Evidence based reporting for social planners and decision makers

For more information, please contact:

United Way Centraide Canada

You might also like