DeKalb County residents will be able to get information and find resources, like utility assistance or domestic violence support, by dialing 2-1-1 any time of any day.
More than 80 area organizations have pooled information for the service.
Dawn Littlefield, executive director of Kishwaukee United Way, said the group started planning the pilot program after helping in the 2015 Fairdale tornado; she said they realized how difficult it was to coordinate services and information after a disaster.
She hopes 2-1-1 will make a difference for area residents.
“They won’t have to call several different places," she said. "They won’t have to call four or five organizations to try and get help; they can just make one phone call and hopefully have their needs met."
Littlefield added that the service can help reduce calls that might otherwise go to 9-1-1.
"So, folks that have services that perhaps the fire department can access,” she said. "‘I need to get something out of a tree. My car won’t start. I need help for my teenager.’ Or something like that."
Other services include childcare referrals, resources for the homeless, and mental health information.
The 2-1-1 service begins next Wednesday.