What is Interface 211 Ventura County?
Interface 211 Ventura County (211VC), a program of Interface Children & Family Services, is the only comprehensive information and referral service for local residents. Each year, 211VC responds to more than 25,000 Ventura County callers, providing local communities with information and resources related to shelter, health care, food, utilities, mental health, legal, disaster/emergency services, transportation, and more.
Available by phone, text, and web 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Interface 211VC delivers health and social service support to individuals in over 150 languages through phone interpretation services. The majority of our dedicated staff effortlessly navigate between English and Spanish, ensuring that every caller receives seamless assistance in their preferred language.
Launched on February 11, 2005, 211VC was the first live 211 in California and has grown through work supporting dozens of other 211 county services across California.
In February 2017, Interface added texting to 211 “call or click” services in both English and Spanish. 211VC also provides resources to over 3,000 unique visitors each month through the 211Ventura.org website.
Timeline of Activities
Ventura County Versus Hate
Launched 211Now
Kick It California - Tobacco Cessation
211 Ventura began screening callers for tobacco, vape, or chewable tobacco use. Callers interested in quitting would be connected to resources such as quit coaches, nicotine patches, and other support systems helping them break from tobacco once and for all.
California Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
211 Ventura continued to assist residents experiencing COVID-19 hardship. For tenants who continued to have challenges to make rental payments due to COVID 19 after September 30, 2021, 211 Ventura helped them submit application for the Statewide Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).
Care Coordination for Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS)
211 Ventura provides care coordination for electricity-dependent households to prepare for Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) is an event that the electricity company turns off power during severe weather to prevent wildfires and ensure public safety.
COVID-19 Support
211 Ventura received over 12,500 phone and 9,000 text inquiries related to COVID-19 from Ventura County residents between 2020 and 2023. 211 helps provide resources related to general COVID-19 information, Stay-at-Home Orders, food assistance, financial assistance, resources for homelessness, and other needs.
211Ride
Lyft Rides
211 Ventura began scheduling Lyft rides in Ventura County in 2019 and has not stopped since. It offers round-trip Lyft rides to connect residents to essential services they may not have been able to access without transportation.
Thomas, Woolsey & Hill Fires Support
211 Ventura handled over 6,800 calls and 10,000 text exchanges to support residents from Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties during the fires. Additionally, 211 staff were present at the Local Assistance Center with Ventura County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) for Case Management Intake for those affected by the fires.
Benefit Screening
In partnership with United Way of Ventura County and Gold Coast Health Plan, 211 Ventura began offering phone and online screenings to check clients' eligibility for help with food, utility payments, and other programs.
Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
After years of connecting callers with housing referrals, 211 Ventura began entering callers directly into the County HMIS system in August 2017. HMIS is an online system that tracks client-level data on the use of homeless services in Ventura County..
Implemented 2-Way Text
10 Years Anniversary
Inform USA Accreditation
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
After years of being the central point of contact for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) information, 2-1-1 Ventura County began scheduling VITA appointments for callers.
H1N1 Support
211 Ventura responded to the H1N1 pandemic and assisted callers with information available.
CalFresh Outreach
211 Ventura started to build awareness of the CalFresh (formerly Food Stamps) program with callers.
Disaster Assistance
211 Ventura handled disaster calls as wildfires raged through Southern California from Santa Barbara County to the U.S.-Mexico border.
211 Ventura County Started
Interface Helpline
Interface 211 Ventura County Mission
Strengthening children, families, individuals, and communities to be safe, healthy, and thriving through comprehensive social services.
Disaster Support
During times of disaster, 211VC coordinates with local and national emergency services to provide incident-specific information, including road closures, food and medical assistance, and shelter. In July 2022, Interface 211VC launched 211Now.com, a website that provides real-time updates about information and resources available during emergencies and disasters. 211Now serves to centralize and verify resources from public officials and community organizations to support individuals and families during emergencies and disasters. Visit 211Now.com to learn more. For information and resources, call 211, text your zip code to 898-211, or visit 211Ventura.org.
211 Ventura County provided Call & Text support for these 2021-2023 major events:
- California - Winter Blizzard and Storms
- California - Atmospheric River and subsequent floods and mudslides
- California - Ferndale Earthquake
- California - Half Moon Bay Shooting
- Florida - Hurricane Ian
- California - Mosquito Fire
- California - Electra Fire
- Illinois - Highland Park Parade Shooting
Frequently Asked Questions
Get Connected. Get Help.
Proudly providing local communities with information and resources Ventura County since 2005
Call 211
When you call 211, you'll speak with a compassionate contact specialist dedicated to providing support. Our specialists are here to connect you with vital resources and services available in Ventura County. Assistance is available in over 150 languages.
Text 898-211
Connect discreetly with a contact specialist by texting your zip code to 898-211. Texting provides greater greater flexibility, allowing you to access and retrieve resources information at your convenience. Assistance is available in English and Spanish.
Visit 211Ventura.org
Explore 211's services and resources in Ventura County for you and your community by visiting our website. You can find resources using our search bar or categories on the home page.
Thank You to 211 Ventura County Supporters
Interface 211 Ventura County is supported by: County of Ventura, Southern California Edison, Ventura County Community Foundation, Pacific Gas & Electric, and the Cities of Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, Simi Valley, Port Hueneme, Moorpark, Ojai, Thousand Oaks, Santa Paula, and Fillmore.
