City Welfare Director and New Hampshire Local Welfare Association President, Todd Marsh, would like to inform citizens about 211 NH, New Hampshire’s first statewide, comprehensive, information and referral service.  

Thanks to a unique coalition of non-profit, government, corporate, and volunteer partners, New Hampshire residents need only dial 2-1-1 to be connected, at no cost, with trained Information and Referral Specialists who can provide them with the health and human service information they need to get help, give help, or discover options.

The 2-1-1 service is available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day and all calls are confidential and multilingual.

“211 NH is an assistance referral hub that connects people in need to essential services, including services many do not know exist,” said Marsh. “Our office collaboratively works with 2-1-1 navigators to effectively assist residents of Rochester.”

The efforts to bring 2-1-1 to NH began in 2000 with the passage of House Bill 707. The bill established the 211NH Commission. The commission was made up of representatives from the legislature, 9-1-1, the Department of Health and Human Services and local information and referral (I&R) agencies, specialized and comprehensive.

The commission’s task was to review information and referral services in the State of NH and make recommendations to the Governor, Legislature, and Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on providing 2-1-1 services to the residents of New Hampshire.

In 2008, Granite United Way and its partners launched 2-1-1 services statewide. Citizens across the State of NH are able to connect, via landlines and cell phones, by simply dialing 2-1-1.

“We want to raise awareness about this valuable public service,” continued Marsh. “I encourage citizens to utilize this resource in order to connect people to the help they need.”

211 NH is supported by the State of NH, Granite United Way, and Volunteer NH. Special thanks to Eversource Energy, which provides the technology and facilities required to host this critical program. Visit ww.211nh.org to learn more.