Vermont 2-1-1
Website Resource Guide
Search Instructions:
The Vermont 2-1-1 website URL is www.vermont211.org. In order to search the database for
services either click on:
Find Resources: Explore the Vermont 2-1-1 Database
(on the top navigation bar or the right side navigation list)
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To search the Vermont 2-1-1 database for resources serving your area, first tell us where
the person seeking services is located:
If you want to search the whole state of Vermont for a service you may leave this field blank, but we
suggest narrowing by entering a ZIP code or CITY.
Next choose one of the three methods to search:
Note that the Search by Agency or Program Name
DOES NOT filter by zip code or city
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This tutorial will review each of these three search methods.
Search method ==== CATEGORY
The first search method allows the user to scroll through several different category topics. Sometimes
it is difficult to know what keyword to use during a search. The Category Search method familiarizes
the user with the terminology that Vermont 2-1-1 utilizes to classify the breadth of services available to
Vermonters.
Vermont 2-1-1 uses over 2000 specific terms to organize the information in our database. We use a
nationally recognized system called the AIRS (Alliance of Information and Referral Systems)
Taxonomy that classifies information by using service terms. In other words, the information in our
Vermont 2-1-1 database is organized by the specific service that an agency or program provides.
Click a category from the list to see additional subcategories. If you do not find a service term you
are looking for right away, simply try another category. Keep in mind that there are always several
ways to find each service, each program and each agency.
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Here are a few examples:
By clicking on Substance Abuse Services and then clicking on Smoking, a list of service
terms is displayed:
By choosing Smoking Cessation Support your search will
produce a list of programs that help Vermonters to quit
smoking
PRACTICE TIP: Try this search first with no city or zip code entered and then try the same
search with a city or zip code entered.
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By clicking on Criminal Justice and Legal Services and then clicking on Courts a list of
service terms are displayed:
Many families have questions regarding
child custody, and divorce.
Family Court is one referral that may prove
helpful in managing these life issues.
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The State of Vermont has seven different court systems. In this example, you may click on a
direct link to view multiple courts in each county.
PRACTICE TIP: Try the Category Search method with your local zip code and see if you can
locate several referrals given to the public on a daily basis. For example,


Basic Needs  Housing for Renters  Home Sanitation
Health Care  Hospitals
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Search method === SERVICE KEYWORD
To start this search method, simply enter a word that describes a service. Some examples are
counseling, education, food or transportation. When using this search method, it is possible to get
too many choices or too few choices or no choices. If you get the error message below it usually
means the search is too narrow
In other words, if a search produces zero matches it may mean the service term is “not accurate” and
the service is in fact included in the database.
If you are having trouble finding a resource………..
Remember to DIAL 2-1-1 by phone 24 hours a day / 7 days a week,
To speak with a trained Information and Referral Specialist
Another way to find the appropriate
search term is to browse the entire 1000+
keyword (service term) list.
Narrow
Broad
Very Narrow
Very Broad
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The Vermont 2-1-1 Information and Referral Specialists who use the database on a daily
basis have compiled a list of Taxonomy Terms that they use frequently. Scanning this
alphabetical list is another way to guide you to the most useful KEYWORD(S) that will
produce results while searching the website. Most Taxonomy terms describe the service
provided to an individual.
Frequently Used Taxonomy Terms:
Attendant
Case/Care Management *_____
Child Care Subsidies
Community Clinics
Community Mental Health Agencies
Community Shelter *_____
Comprehensive Job Assistance Centers
Comprehensive Outpatient Substance Abuse
Dental Care
Disability Related Transportation
Family Law Courts
Family Support Center/Outreach *_____
Food Pantries
Food Stamps
Gas Money
General Consumer Complaints
Glasses/Contact Lenses
Housing Authorities
Housing Counseling
Insurance
Internet Information Resources*_____
Job Training
Lawyer Referral
Legal Counseling
Legal Representation
Local Bus Services
Low Income/Subsidized Private Rental Housing
Medicaid
Medical Transportation
Mental Health Hotlines
Military Family Service/Support Centers
Motor Vehicle Registration
Parenting Education
Prescription Expense Assistance
Rent Payment Assistance
Rental Deposit Assistance
Specialized Information and Referral*_____
Social Security Disability
State Health Insurance
TANF
Tenant Rights Counseling
Thrift Shops
Transitional Housing/Shelter
Undesignated Temporary Financial Assistance
Unemployment Insurance
Utility Assistance
WIC
The items with a * may include a “target term” that
indicates when a specific target population is served.
For example, Community Shelter may serve Single
Adults or Families (or both)
Items on this list that are BOLD have several taxonomy term
options that may produce a successful search.
For example, Insurance leads to:
State Health Insurance
Health Insurance Marketplaces
Long Term Care Insurance Information/Counseling
Insurance Complaints
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Here are a few examples:
Enter “food” and choose “Any Word”:
Then you will see items that match your search specifically and items that are related to your
search: Please note that the indented phrases (for example: for Homebound) narrow the
search to services that target that specialized population or specialized delivery method.
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Another example:
A search for FUEL leads us to the taxonomy term UTILITY ASSISTANCE
Then you will see items that match your search specifically and items that are related to your
search. A search on Utility Assistance will always lead you to the local CAP (Community
Action Program) and any other local resources that may help with utility assistance.
Choose Utility Assistance for
the most common referrals given
on a daily basis
The “blue question mark” gives the definition of each taxonomy (service) term
.
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Search method ==== NAME
To start this search method, enter a specific Vermont agency name or program name. Enter
a complete name or just part of the name. Some examples are AARP, Red Cross, Salvation
Army, or United Way.
Note that the Search by Name method DOES NOT filter by zip code or city. In other words,
this search method searches the entire database for the name you enter and the search is
not taking into consideration the geographic location (city or zip code).
Specific and/or less common NAMES produce the best search results:
SEVCA
Home Health
Foodbank
Freedom
CRASH
Groundworks
HCRS
Memorial
If you are certain that an agency or program has a specific town name INCLUDED in its name you
may enter a town name.
Generic and/or common NAMES are less helpful:
Food or Vermont or Department or Children
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It is possible to find an agency or program many different ways. For example, CHILD CARE
SUBSIDY information could be found the following three ways:
Search method ==== CATEGORY
Category  Parenting  Child Care  Child Care Subsidies
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OR
Search method ====
KEYWORD
This search will produce:
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OR
Search method ==== NAME
All three of these searches will lead to the following record:
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Remember, there are three ways to search for services in the Vermont 2-1-1 database:
Each search method has its pro’s and con’s and it is also important to keep in mind that there
are multiple ways to find each program and agency.
Pro: Gives an overview of the taxonomy (classification system) used by Vermont 2-1-1
Con: Some of the lists of terms are long and difficult to process
Pro: Specific search terms potentially lead the user directly to the needed service
Con: Requires detailed knowledge of the search terms. The search engine does not see
the similarity in the terms “pantry” and “pantries”. Entering “pant” (and then choosing “Any
Word) may produce the best search results in this example.
Pro: Service Providers often know the specific resource needed and simply need a phone
number or street address. This method makes the most of “street smart” knowledge of
program and agency names.
Con: May produce “no match” results when, in fact, an agency or program is included in the
Vermont 2-1-1 database. For example, a program or agency name may include the word
“Children” but a search using “child” may produce too many choices and the word “children’s”
will not match the name exactly.
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