211 OC

Orange County residents needing emergency social services like food, shelter and mental health services may call 2-1-1.

211 OC Community Partnerships Director Amy Arambulo says the caller will be connected to a live information specialist, who will first do a needs assessment to determine how to help. And then figure out the appropriate services to enable the caller to get his or her needs met. The top needs are housing and food.

She says 211 OC has a database of thousands of programs to connect callers to services. And it has the equivalent of 12 full-time referral specialists. And the service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Arambulo is the guest on our public affairs show “Collage,” which airs this evening at seven. “Collage,” may also be heard anytime on-line at www.Jazz885.org