What is the 211 Warmline?
The 211 Warmline is a collaborative initiative led by the District of Columbia’s Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) in partnership with other key District agencies. Together, these agencies strive to create a unified social services network to support residents with centralized access to resources and referrals.
History of the 211 Warmline & Community Response
We envision a future in the District of Columbia where community-based organizations, non-profits, for-profits, and government agencies collaborate seamlessly to better support children and families.
The 211 Warmline is part of a broader initiative led by CFSA, known as Keeping DC Families Together (KDCFT), which aims to shift from a traditional child welfare model to a child and family well-being system with the goal of connecting families to needed resources without the trauma of unnecessary child welfare involvement.
Keeping DC Families Together
The KDCFT Steering Committee, led by CFSA in collaboration with community members, government agencies, non-profits, and advocates, oversees the development of DC’s Child and Family Well-Being System. The vision guiding this initiative is as follows:
“We aspire to create a caring, diverse community comprised of residents, community-based organizations, and government agencies – each with unique roles and strengths – working together in seamless coordination to ensure that all individuals, children, and families thrive in DC.”
Key priorities of the KDCFT Initiative include:
- Empowering the community to actively participate in conceptualizing and designing DC’s child and family well-being system.
- Collaborating with community-based organizations and individuals with lived experience to shape policy and practice changes.
- Strengthening families by building resilience and providing access to essential resources.
- Launching the 211 Warmline as a dedicated service for social needs, with the goal of connecting families to supportive services, thus reducing unnecessary child welfare involvement.
- Partnering with community organizations to implement a District-wide community response model that offers comprehensive support and prevention services to families across all 8 Wards.
- Establishing a child and family well-being system that ensures all individuals, children, and families thrive in DC.
What is the difference between the 211 Warmline and United Way's 2-1-1 line?
The 2-1-1 line operated by United Way and the 211 Warmline administered by the DC Child and Family Services (CFSA) are two separate lines serving distinct purposes. United Way’s 2-1-1 is a free, confidential referral and information helpline that connects callers to essential health and human services; it’s a non-crisis line open to the general public. CFSA’s 211 Warmline is also a non-crisis line and serves as a line of support.
In contrast, CFSA’s 211 Warmline is specifically designed as a referral and service navigation hub for individuals, seniors, children, and families connecting across the District of Columbia residents to vetted community and government supports. Whether you need assistance with housing, utilities, food, clothing, mental health and addiction recovery services, transportation, or childcare resources, our trained professionals are here to provide compassionate, confidential support.
While both use the 211 platform, they operate independently and serve different audiences with unique needs.
To contact the United Way of the National Capital Area directly, please dial their main line at (202) 488-2000.