Following a nearly two-year review, United Way of Rhode Island’s 211 has received accreditation from Inform USA. The accreditation indicates that 211 in the Ocean State meets national standards and best practices in helping people connect with the right information and resources to meet their needs. In Rhode Island, United Way 211 hosts the most comprehensive health and human services database in the state.

“Earning this well-deserved recognition is an important and meaningful milestone for our team,” said Cortney Nicolato, president and CEO of United Way of RI. “Every day, our staff works tirelessly to help our neighbors find the support they need by taking the time to ask the right questions and understand each caller’s unique circumstances.”

To receive its five-year accreditation, the review of United Way 211 in Rhode Island encompassed several phases, including a consultant’s report assessing the organization’s compliance with national standards, a detailed review of the resource database, surveying the organizations listed in the resource database and a virtual site visit.

United Way brought 211 to Rhode Island in 2007 and has since led the telephone-based resource clearinghouse, which includes the state’s Aging and Disability Resource Center. Where 211 connects people with essential services when they need them most, like food, housing and utilities assistance, it also is a vital resource for child and elder care, Medicaid, employment and workforce and more. 211 also is the state’s voter hotline and a partner of RI Emergency Management during times of natural disaster and emergencies.

Per capita, Rhode Island’s 211 is among the most heavily used 211 programs in the country. Last year, Rhode Islanders connected with 211 more than 213,000 times, and the service helped save the state $1.6 million by reducing the burden of non-emergency calls to 911 and duplication by state agencies.