give1advocate1volunteer1

Tips for Searching United Way 2-1-1

United Way provides an online directory of health and human services for an expanded Kansas City metropolitan area. You can access an online database of services available in the 23-county area like those available to callers through the United Way 2-1-1 phone service by clicking here.

The information was provided to United Way by the agencies and organizations themselves. The fact that an organization is or is not listed is not an endorsement or lack of an endorsement of the purpose, method or quality of service. In addition, errors and omissions, whether typographical, clerical or otherwise do sometimes occur, and may occur anywhere within the body of this database.

This database is continually being reviewed and revised for additions, corrections and deletions.

Helpful Hints

Below are helpful hints to keep in mind when searching the online database:

  1. Click on "Click here to search United Way 2-1-1 Online" at the top left of the page.
  2. Choose a search area: all areas, city or zip code (make sure to click the radio button next to your choice before picking the city or zip, you will have the option to switch areas later). The search works by location, not service area, so sometimes zip codes will get few results.
  3. Type a word or phrase to search for in "Look for:" Single words will get more results than multiple words. What you enter here finds taxonomy terms used to categorized services not the programs themselves.
  4. Click "Search Now!" Listed on the left side of the page are terms that represent services that programs provide. Click on the term that most closely fits your needs.
  5. (If no terms appear on the left side of the page back up to the search page and enter a synonym of the term previously entered.
  6.  

    Example:

    Foreclosure Help = Mortgage Foreclosure Assistance
    Drug Dependence = Substance Abuse
    Electric Assistance = Utility Bill Payment Assistance
    Grief Counseling = Bereavement Counseling
    Free Health Clinic = Community Clinic
    Meals = Soup Kitchen

     

  7. Also watch out for plurals that are spelled differently than singulars: pantry vs. pantries.
  8. An alphabetical list of programs should appear on the right side of the page. To get more information about a program, click on the name. (Please be sure to check that the program descriptive information meets your needs, service area, etc.)
  9. Below the list of taxonomy terms on left side of the page you see the area that you are searching. If you are searching a city or zip code you will have the option to change city or zip code and the option to expand to the entire county that city or zip code is in. You will also have the option to expand to search all areas.
  10. There is an advanced search option on the opening search page in which you can search by the name of a program or other criteria. Click on this link in the upper right hand corner to do a more detailed search.
  11. If you are not able to find the services you need or have trouble navigating the online database, please call 2-1-1 or (816) 474-5112.