At its February 9 Board of Supervisors meeting, the Nevada County Board of Supervisors heard a presentation from 211 Connecting Point highlighting the vital role the service plays in supporting residents throughout the county. The presentation coincided with the recognition of February 11 (2/11) as “211 Day,” a national day of awareness for the 211 system.

National 211 Day is observed each year to recognize more than 200 local 211 programs across the country. The 211 system is a free, confidential information and referral service that connected more than 93 percent of the nation to essential health and human services—24 hours a day, 365 days a year—by phone or online. In Nevada County, the Board of Supervisors first proclaimed February 11 as 211 Day in 2021.

A Trusted Resource for Nevada County Residents

During the presentation, 211 Connecting Point shared how the program helps residents navigate complex systems and access critical services, including housing and homelessness assistance, utility and rent support, food resources, health care, mental health services, crisis counseling, transportation, and employment assistance. During emergencies and disasters, 211 also served as a trusted source of timely, accurate information for the community.

As 211 staff explained, “211 Connecting Point helps people find solutions and hope during some of life’s most difficult moments. Every call is an opportunity to listen, connect individuals to relevant resources, and provide meaningful support so no one has to navigate life’s challenges alone.”

The Power of a Human Connection

The presentation also highlighted the dedication of the trained professionals who answer calls with care and compassion. Gloria Magaña, a Consumer Service Representative, shared:

“The most important part of my work at 211 Connecting Point is knowing I make a difference in people’s lives. This is what we do at our 211 Call Center- we listen, analyze, and before the caller has even finished their sentence, we are already developing a plan of action and identifying resources that can help.

Solutions give people hope. Simply providing information that is relevant to a caller’s circumstances can change someone’s life.”

 Jacquie Janssen, a Consumer Service Representative who has worked at 211 Connecting Point for six years, emphasized the importance of human connection:

"Our callers are especially appreciative to talk with a real, live human being- someone who looks beyond a request to see if there are other resources that might help. I love being able to follow up with seniors. Oftentimes, they are isolated and have no one else to talk with. Just a simple call from us can completely change the caller’s state of mind.”

 Impact by the Numbers

The Board heard that demand for 211 services continued to grow across Nevada County:

• 17,597 needs identified from callers
• 18,697 resource referrals provided
• Housing remained the top need category, followed by health care, food assistance, utility support, and mental health services

These figures represented data gathered since 2023 and represents thousands of residents receiving guidance, stability, and support.

Recognizing 211 Day

As Nevada County recognized 211 Day on February 11, the Board of Supervisors acknowledged 211 Connecting Point for the essential services they provided and the dedication of the staff who ensured help was available every day of the year.

 Residents can access free, confidential support by dialing 2-1-1 or visiting 211 Connecting Point online—because help is always just a call or click away.