Mission
Helping Individuals & Communities Thrive
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, our mission is to connect Marylanders to the health and human services they need to achieve a more stable life for themselves and their families.
Maryland’s Central Connector
211 MD oversees a statewide network of call centers, providing essential connections to Marylanders when they need it most. Callers are automatically routed to their regional call center for assistance, and 211, Press 1 callers are connected to a larger group of crisis centers.
Call | Text | Chat
Information and Referral Specialists listen, identify all unmet needs, connect callers to resources and follow-up when needed.
Ongoing, Supportive Text Messages
Custom English & Spanish text messages inform and inspire
on-demand.
Searchable Resource Database
Find essential resources in the most comprehensive unmet needs database in the state.
Disaster Alerts and Information
211 provides one-stop connections and factual information before, during and after emergency situations like a natural disaster or public health and safety threat. More than 200,000 Marylanders receive push-alerts on their phone and turn to 211 Maryland for rumor-controlled information.
Our Journey
While work began in the 1960’s to develop a central information and referral resource, it was decades later that 2-1-1 became the one-stop connector for health and human services in Maryland.
1960
Baltimore Council of Social Agencies leads the first effort to develop a central information and referral service.
Health and Welfare Council initiates first attempt to create a comprehensive, computer-based health and human services database for Maryland.
1983
2000
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designates 2-1-1 as the national 3-digit access code for health and human services information and referral.
United Way of Central Maryland (UWCM) convenes 2-1-1 Maryland Task Force to prepare and plan for Maryland’s 2-1-1 system.
State legislation establishes 2-1-1 as the primary information and referral telephone number for health and human services in Maryland.
Four regional call centers (Community Crisis Services, Life Crisis Center, Mental Health Association of Frederick County and United Way of Central Maryland) agree to participate in a two-year Pilot Project.
2004
2010
Incorporation of the “Maryland Information Network, 2-1-1 Maryland, Inc.”
211 Maryland achieves 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and begins implementation.
2011
2018
211 Maryland integrates the statewide 1-800 crisis hotline into the 211 system to create 211 Press 1.
State legislation places control of Maryland’s 2-1-1 system in 211 MD, Inc.
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