211 Mountain Valley
“Communication is merely an exchange of information, but connection is an exchange of our humanity.” -Sean Stephenson
WHAT IS 211 MOUNTAIN VALLEY?
United Way’s 211 Mountain Valley is a locally-focused information and referral service for Merced and Mariposa Counties. Staffed by local Information and Referral Specialists who are deeply rooted in the community, our service is dedicated to understanding and respecting the diverse languages and traditions of our county. We emphasize personalized assistance that makes every resident feel valued and understood.
24/7 AND DATA DRIVEN
Operating 24/7 through phone and text, 211 Mountain Valley connects residents to essential community resources, available in over 150 languages through sophisticated phone interpretation services. As a data-driven entity, we continuously gather and analyze real-time data from our interactions, allowing us to quickly identify and act on emerging trends and needs within the community—often before they become widely recognized.
INFORMATION HUB AND DISASTER RESPONSE
During emergencies, the role of 211 Mountain Valley becomes even more critical. We provide real-time disaster response and relief information, swiftly adapting to rapidly changing situations. Our service acts as a vital communication hub for both residents and first responders, delivering immediate, reliable updates on local emergencies such as road closures and shelter locations. This timely and accurate support ensures that our community receives the essential information needed to navigate crises effectively and safely.
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211 is a FREE service that connects community members to information about critical health and human services available in their community. 211 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 211 utilizes both bilingual Call Specialists and a phone-based translation service to offer 211 information and referral in over 150 languages. 211 also provides incident-specific information during times of disaster, including road closures and shelters.
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BY PHONE: Dial 211 from a landline or cell phone in Mariposa County or by dialing our toll-free number (844-287-7400).
BY TEXT: Text your zip code to 898-211. ONLINE:
ONLINE: Search the 211 resource database online at www.211merced.org
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When you dial 211, let the Call Specialist know the area you need services for, and we will gladly give you the toll-free number to the 211 service for that area.
You can also find the toll-free number for 211 services across the country at 211.org.
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The 211 dialing code has been designated by the Federal Communication Commission for community information and referral services, just as 9-1-1 is set aside for emergency services.
When you dial 211 from a landline or cell phone, your phone provider directs your call to the local 211 provider.
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Currently United Way of Merced County operates its 211 program Monday-Friday 8:00 - 5:00.
On weekends, evenings, and holidays, we contract the call service to CAPK in Kern County who operates the services utilizing our database.
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Currently a majority of our 211 staff are bilingual in English and Spanish. We also contract out with Language Line to receive 24/7 interpretation services in over 150 languages.
