About

Since 2002, Findhelp Information Services has operated 211Ontario.ca as a portal to specialized provincial information and referral databases. In 2007/2008, community-based information and referral providers will collectively work toward realizing their long-standing vision for 211Ontario.ca – to coordinate and web-enable local data to create a fully searchable, bilingual point of access to over 60,000 community, social, health and related government programs and services in Ontario.

Community information centres throughout Ontario have been collecting and maintaining this comprehensive information for over 50 years. The collective vision is built on dedication to shared standards and database interoperability.The Internet-based directory of human services will be built on the partners’ existing information management and technological infrastructure, making 211Ontario.ca a reliable, user-friendly resource for anyone who is looking for human services in Ontario.

211Ontario.ca will provide an easy-to-use, first point of access to answer such questions as:

“Is there a ‘Meals on Wheels’ program for my mother in Aurora?”
“I am moving to Thunder Bay, what services are available for my child with special needs?”
“Are there job clubs offered in French in Toronto?”
“Where can I find an English as a Second Language (ESL) class for my Cantonese-speaking client?”

The 211Ontario.ca project will also develop and implement a bilingual, Canadian indexing system for human services that can be used by all information and referral providers from all sectors and will reduce duplication and increase shared use of data.

The work is being funded through Strengthening Our Partnerships, a Ministry of Finance program that provides funding directly to transfer payment agencies to pilot innovative ideas or increase their capacity to manage information to ensure that modern controllership principles, accountability, and transparency can be enhanced in the broader public sector.

Complementing the Internet resource represented by 211Ontario.ca is the 211 telephone service. By dialing 2-1-1, callers are directly connected to a qualified information and referral specialist. 211 telephone service is currently available in Halton Region, Niagara Region, South Georgian Bay and Toronto.

For more information on the 211Ontario.ca project, visit the project website.

Information on the 211 initiative in Ontario can be found on 211Ontario.info.