Area Information Center (211)
Area Information Center (2-1-1)
Heart of Texas Council of Governments – Area Information Center (2-1-1) Proudly serving the Heart of Texas Region & Bryan College Station Region with a "free" social service help line answered by trained contact specialists who assist callers with social service needs and refer them to potential service providers or agencies that may be able to assist them. The help line is answered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and supports all languages. There is also a CHAT option on the 2-1-1 website.
Our dedicated 2-1-1 staff provide information and referral services for needs stated by each caller, such as food pantries, shelters, assistance in paying a utility bill, assistance with childcare expenses, finding employment, eldercare, disaster relief, etc. Callers are provided with contact information for each agency identified in their zip code that may be able to provide assistance along with eligibility and application requirements. We are now able to text and email the referral information in addition to providing it verbally.
Individuals can simply dial "2-1-1" on their telephone from anywhere in the State of Texas and once the caller inputs their zip code the call will be routed to the nearest available Area Information Centers. There are 25 Area Information Centers in Texas. There is no cost for calling 2-1-1. The local 2-1-1 office is in the Heart of Texas Council of Governments building and is overseen by The Texas Information and Referral Network (TIRN). Callers are provided with information about health and human services regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, disability, or any other criteria.
The TIRN network has assumed increased visibility and importance due to the effectiveness and success in dealing with hurricanes and natural disasters and keeping citizens informed. TIRN is the backbone for information distribution throughout the state during times of emergency and natural disasters including floods, hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, and tornadoes. 2-1-1 plays an integral role in the Governor's Homeland Security Strategic Plan by following the AIC Emergency Management Protocols during disasters or other events that have the potential to or have resulted in property damage, deaths, and/or injuries in Texas communities by providing information to the public in the event of a disaster or emergency.
During a disaster, the 2-1-1-state network along with our Heart of Texas Region and Bryan College Station Region quickly begin to feel the impact of the disaster with an increase in phone calls from frantic callers seeking information regarding evacuation, available shelters, food and water, and other supplies and information related to the disaster. All contact specialists across the state can provide accurate disaster information through the partnership and collaboration of each Area Information Center's Emergency Management Coordinator and their region's local emergency management personnel. 2-1-1 works extremely hard to ensure we are able to provide valuable information at all times.
The Heart of Texas Region along with the Bryan College Station Region answers more than 50,000 inquiries each year.
John Vorderkunz: 2-1-1 Director / Health & Human Services Director
Heart of Texas & Bryan College Station Regions
Amy Rossow: CRS. 2-1-1 Program Manager - Heart of Texas & Bryan College Station Regions. Outreach & Back-Up Emergency Management Coordinator for Heart of Texas
Marcy Whiddon: CRS, CRS-DC, CRS-A/D: Resource Manager - Heart of Texas & Bryan College Station Regions / Emergency Management Coordinator for Heart of Texas
Belinda Arocha: CRS. Senior Bilingual Information & Referral Contact Specialist
Heart of Texas & Bryan College Station Regions
Brandy Greathouse: Information & Referral / Closed Loop Contact Specialist
Heart of Texas & Bryan College Station Regions
Rachel Fulton: Information & Referral Contact Specialist
Heart of Texas & Bryan College Station Regions
Jennifer Turner: Outreach Coordinator and Emergency Management Coordinator
Bryan College Station Region
Donnis Cowan: Contract Quality Assurance Specialist
Heart of Texas & Bryan College Station Regions
Follow us on Facebook: Heart of Texas 2-1-1 Facebook
Website: www.211Texas.org
