ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Missourians in need of help, or who want to help out, can get what they're looking for by dialing 211.

Callers will be linked to information specialists who will evaluate their needs and refer them to appropriate health or human services in their area.

Whether it's a parent looking to learn about a summer camp program, or a homeless person in need of a hot meal, the 211 service aims to assist them.

Gary Dollar, president and CEO of the United Way of Greater St. Louis, said, "211 is a fast, free, confidential service for when people need help and don't know where to turn."

He spoke at a news conference Tuesday in St. Louis, to officially launch 211 service throughout much of the state.

The 211 help line will be available around the clock, though 911 is still the number to call in an emergency.

Missouri has thousands of organizations to help people with job training, drug intervention, and home health care, among other areas.

"Having the services available is one thing, having them accessible is another," said Dr. James Kimmey, president and chief executive officer of the Missouri Foundation for Health, which funds community health activities in the state.

Staffers with 211 are trained to sift through available choices, to better direct people to programs or agencies that could help with a specific need.

They'll also work to update information from around Missouri, to make sure the database they're using to refer people remains up-to-date.

"If someone wants to volunteer, they can also call the number," said Cheryl Polk, vice president and chief operating officer of the United Way of Greater St. Louis, which funds about 200 health and human service agencies in 16 counties in Missouri and Illinois. They'll be told about what agencies might have volunteer opportunities they would be interested in, or where they can make donations.

The 211 system is currently available to nine out of 10 Missourians, or all of those who have AT&T, CenturyTel or Charter telephone service, program organizers said. Missourians who use other phone companies for their service are expected to be linked to 211 next year.

Kansas City and its 16 surrounding counties have had 211 service through the United Way of Greater Kansas City since 2006. That service will continue, and was not affected by Tuesday's announcement.

Organizers said 211 service is also currently available in the metropolitan areas of St. Louis, Cape Girardeau, Springfield, Poplar Bluff, Hannibal, Joplin, Kirksville, Columbia and Willow Springs.

Coverage to Jefferson City and Cole County is expected by next spring.

Cell phone users can dial 1-800-427-4626, though work is under way to connect cell phones to 211 next year.

Missouri 211 anticipates 100,000 to 200,000 calls annually once the service is fully operational.

Missouri is the 21st state to have statewide coverage. Organizers of 211 say there are more than 200 active 211 systems in more than 40 states. They also said 211 can be used to gather and share information when a region is dealing with an unexpected situation, like severe weather.

About $8.5 million has been pledged for the first five years of 211 service. The Missouri Foundation for Health has committed $4.75 million and the United Way of Greater St. Louis is providing an additional $3.75 million.

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On the 'Net:

211 Missouri: http://www.211missouri.org/

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)