Data sources: 2-1-1 VIRGINIA and 211 Counts

The data sources series continues with 2-1-1 VIRGINIA.   2-1-1 VIRGINIA is the Commonwealth's resource and referral system for "human" services.   Users, who may call or use the online database, have access to "one of the largest databases of health and human services in Virginia."   The database contains information about a wide range of services and supports, from behavioral health prevention and intervention programs to housing to affordable pet care to services for people with disabilities.

Online 2-1-1 VIRGINIA users can search by place (county, town, ZIP code) and by topic.   The results can be narrowed by your location, mapped, and several services compared. Users can save the results by printing or emailing.   Sorting is also possible on the phone.

For policy wonks, 2-1-1 VIRGINIA is a wealth of information: It provides information about the services and supports available in a particular community.

Related to this use of 2-1-1 VIRGINIA is 211 Counts.   This site allows users to determine the number of services by type.

Data can be sorted by ZIP Code, county, congressional district, State House district, State Senate district, and region.   And that's just the beginning.

With 211 Counts, you first see the most popular information requests (referred to as top request categories).   Even better, when you click on the category, refined details pop up.   This is particular helpful for the "Other" category.

211 Counts also presents data over time so users can see when requests are made.   Two years are compared, making the information even more useful.