211 LA is on the front line supporting LA County’s COVID-19 public information and community resource needs:
On March 9, 2020 the LA County Department of Public Health and Chief Executive Office activated 211 LA’s Public Disaster Information Hotline in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Our top priorities are to make COVID-19 information easily accessible to the community and to continue to extend the empathy and calm provision of information that we specialize in, whether the crisis is at the individual, family, or community level.
Here is what 211 LA is doing to support LA County residents, visitors, and government during the COVID-19 pandemic response
- Gathering up-to-date information on COVID-19 by working closely with LA County Department of Public Health and the Joint Information Center (JIC) at the County Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
- Staying open 24/7 to assist people by phone and online chat
- Adding additional capacity exclusively dedicated to responding to calls from the public about COVID-19 related resources and information
- Following social distancing guidelines by having 211 LA's workforce stay safer at home
- Taking reports of acts of hate-motivated violence, bullying, and discrimination related to COVID-19
- Maintaining a COVID-19 web page with verified information and links to key websites
- Sharing information from reliable sources on social media pages (@211LACounty)
- Updating information and resources related to COVID-19 and critical service changes in our resource database
- Maintaining service on all other hotlines and general Information and referral services, including these hotlines:
- Safely Surrender Baby Hotline (Babysafe), County and Statewide
- Area Agency on Aging Hotline, LA County
- LA Found Hotline
- Hate Act Reporting Hotline
- Elder Abuse Reporting Hotline
- Winter Shelter Hotline
- Homeless Families Coordinated Entry hotline
- AARP Caregivers hotline
As of March 31, 211 LA has received over 20,000 COVID-19 information or referrals requests, and that number is growing daily. Many calls are from people who are frightened, confused, and seeking answers to questions in a rapidly changing service environment.
To help people understand what 2-1-1 can and can not do related to coronavirus information and services, we developed the following guide below. We will update it as new services become available.
WHAT CAN I DIRECT PEOPLE TO 2-1-1 FOR?
YES
- Information on coronavirus: symptoms, spread, disinfecting
- Questions about the Safer At Home Health Order
- Guidance for Employers, Businesses, Workers, Medical Professionals, and Service Providers
- Referrals to sign up for health insurance or find a clinic if you don’t already have a medical provider
- Referrals to food pantries, food distribution sites/programs, or CalFresh food benefits if you are struggling financially to purchase food
- Shelter referrals, motel vouchers for homeless families only, and eviction moratorium information
- Information on County services
- Referrals to health, human, and social services and supports - please note service hours and delivery is changing rapidly
- Reporting an act of hate or bullying motivated by country of origin, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation
NO
- Request a coronavirus test or testing kit
- Request an exemption from the Safer at Home Health Order
- Request or order masks, sanitation supplies or medical supplies, or accept donations of these supplies
- Screening/testing for coronavirus symptoms or admission to a clinic, hospital, or quarantine center (contact your doctor, medical or clinic provider)
- Locations to purchase groceries or meals (grocery stores are restocking, and many restaurants are open for pick up or delivery.)
- Request booking hotel rooms at the Fairplex or any other hotel/quarantine housing locations
- Direct connection to County officials or Department of Public Health
- Lists of services and providers (resources are changing rapidly, and we are working to update them as quickly as possible so 211la.org or contacting 2-1-1 will be the best source for up-to-date information)
- Filing a police report, or reporting a dispute or crime not motivated by discrimination of a protected class
