211 Community Resource Database

This Inclusion/Exclusion Policy provides guidelines regarding the types of organizations and services that are eligible for inclusion in the 211 Community Resource Database, powered by Maryland Information Network (MdInfoNet). In accordance with Inform USA Standards, this policy is to be uniformly and fairly applied. It is published so all users are aware of the scope and limitations of the directory.

Eligible for Inclusion

Maryland Information Network, which is the state-administered nonprofit of the 211 system in Maryland, serves the entire State of Maryland and seeks to include health and human service organizations and programs providing services to Maryland residents, regardless of the physical location of the service provider.

In general, the following are considered eligible for inclusion:

  • Nonprofit and for-profit organizations, religious groups, clubs and societies, cooperatives, individual practitioners, and governmental agencies and officials providing health, social, educational, library, employment, legal, recreational, and other human services to the community at large.
  • Organizations with a more informal status that are run predominantly by volunteers, such as self-help support groups.
  • Toll-free crisis lines, hotlines, help lines, locator tools, and websites that offer direct assistance or provide specialized information and referral to health and human services organizations.
  • Organizations that advocate for human service programs and policies, including those that offer opportunities for individuals and groups to participate in community improvement or service projects, or to have a voice in the political process.
  • Commercial and for-profit organizations that provide free, subsidized, or sliding fee scale services, or otherwise offer unique or essential services not adequately covered in the nonprofit sector.
  • Licensed hospitals, health clinics, personal care homes, and home health agencies.
  • Temporary services that are made active in response to special circumstances, such as natural or manmade disasters, as well as seasonal and holiday programming.
  • Organizations that provide programs and services relevant to a Maryland Information Network/211 partnership or contract.

Maryland Information Network 211 Maryland Inc. does not prohibit the inclusion of any programs that target services based on age, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other characteristics designed to meet the special needs of targeted populations if they are open to all people of those specific populations.

Ineligible for Inclusion

Organizations not typically eligible for inclusion include, but are not limited to:

  • Organizations that have been in operation for less than one year, unless serving a critical need.
  • Organizations that discriminate on the basis of color, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ancestry, gender identity, national origin, or any other category protected by law.
  • Religious groups, social clubs, and community associations that only offer services for members.
  • Organizations that offer services that are unlawful under Maryland, federal, or local statute, ordinance, regulation, or order.
  • Organizations that have been publicly charged with or convicted of actions not in the best interests of the people they serve.
  • Commercial and private practices of medicine, social work, nursing, counseling, psychiatry, psychology, physical or occupational therapy, etc that do not accept Medicare, Medicaid, or offer a sliding fee scale for paid services so that they remain accessible to individuals with low income.
  • Organizations that misrepresent themselves or their services in any way.

The 211 system strives to offer a balanced representation of resources, including those from political causes and issue-oriented action groups. However, if an organization or program considered under these criteria is deemed harmful to the community, it will be excluded.

Quality Control

To ensure it meets the changing needs of the community, MdInfoNet, which powers 211 services, reviews the Inclusion/Exclusion Policy annually and conducts regular directory reviews to ensure all organizations and services are in compliance.

To remain in good standing and prevent removal from the directory, listed organizations must agree to participate in the annual verification of their information and maintain regular updates as changes occur.

Exclusion and Removal

MdInfoNet reserves the right to decline to list organizations and services that do not meet the criteria for inclusion for any reason. We211 may also remove an organization or service previously approved for inclusion if they no longer fall within scope, fail to verify their information upon final notice, or have serious complaints lodged against them by any regulatory body, the general public, or with the 211 system or MdInfoNet.

Complaints and Appeals

MdInfoNet views complaints as valuable feedback that can enhance the quality of the resource directory and related services. Complaints and appeals about inclusion or exclusion may be sent to リソース@211md.org and will be addressed as received.

Additional Disclaimers

  • The 211 Community Resource Database is not intended to provide free marketing to businesses– inclusion does not constitute or imply an endorsement. Exclusion also does not indicate disapproval, nor does it reflect any organization’s value or contribution to the community.
  • We do not require, receive, or accept payment from any organization to be listed in the directory.
  • Submitted organization information may be edited for format, style, brevity, or clarity and used for referral and publication purposes.

Last Updated:  July 2025