For years, Vermont 211 has been promoted as the trusted, single number connecting residents to essential services and disaster support. Like many human services organizations across the state, Vermont 211 is facing staff recruitment and retention challenges. To ensure the ongoing sustainability of Vermont 211, adequate funding is needed to support staff and operations, and investment in innovations to ensure that Vermont 211 can best serve the community’s emergency services and health-related social needs.

The Alliance supports the United Ways of Vermont’s request for adequate investment to ensure that Vermont 211 can continue to provide consistent, high-quality support to Vermonters in need.

Lead Organization: United Ways of Vermont

Data and Talking Points

• In 2024, VT 211 received 57,375 calls and texts, resulting in 22,008 referrals for benefits and services
• Vermont 211’s database contains 1116 agencies and 3192 programs

Legislative Update

The Governor’s Recommended FY 27 Budget reflects a $332,000 reduction in funding for VT 211. This is the exact amount that was added to the program’s base level funding last fiscal year, to ensure the program could maintain current 24/7 operations.

AHS’s justification for the reduction is their belief that VT 211 does not need to operate during the overnight hours, as there are no hotels to connect individuals seeking emergency housing with after a certain point in the night. VT 211 is in agreement with a reduction of hours as the cost per call overnight does not justify the amount of money being invested in an out-of-state for-profit call center, which covers for VT 211 from 12am to 8am. Additionally, overnight hours create false hope for callers when there are no services available to refer them to.

However, by reducing hours, VT 211 can operate within a level-funded contract amount of $1,638,029 for FY 27 and still keep up with increased business costs – essentially a sustainable funding level that reflects modern times after decades of chronic underfunding. A funding reduction would not support adequate staffing to respond to the current need and call volumes during the hours that VT 211 can actually help Vermonters and connect them with resources.

The message across Vermont is clear – call 211 for assistance during times of need. As federal program changes and funding reductions ripple through communities, more Vermonters are reaching out, many for the first time, seeking guidance, stability, and connection to essential services. VT 211 is critical state infrastructure. Families and communities are feeling intensified pressure, and the state relies on VT 211 to absorb increased demand, adapt quickly to policy shifts, and deliver timely, accurate information and referrals.

In addition to adequate staffing levels to meet current and anticipated need, with a full, level funding amount in FY 27, VT 211 can leverage a blend of public and private funding to deliver the following:

• Replacement of a severely outdated database to ensure speed, accuracy, and flexibility
• Proactive statewide outreach so VT 211’s database remains the single, trusted source for health and human services available to Vermonters
• New tools that address social factors affecting health
• Improved data reporting systems