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bc211 Training

bc211 is a Vancouver-based nonprofit organization that provides information about and referrals to community, government and social services in BC.
EHOs & bc211

Using bc211

Through a partnership project with BCCDC, EHOs from across BC have been trained to use bc211.

If you want to receive training in using bc211, please contact your regional manager or Population & Public Health at BCCDC (pph@bccdc.ca). 

How bc211 can help EHOs 

EHOs can use bc211 referral services to connect clients to appropriate services in their area.

EHOs witness a wide range of societal issues that impact environmental health. These issues may arise as incidental observations during inspections or through calls from members of the public to the health authority. Although EHOs may be aware of a broad range of factors that affect the health of individuals or the public, many of these issues fall outside their scope of practice.

The referral service provides information:

  • through helplines (211, the Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service (ADIRS), the Problem Gambling Help Line, VictimLink BC, the Youth Against Violence Line)
  • by text message 
  • through its website (bc211).
Referral process

bc211 referral process for EHOs

If you need to refer a client to bc211, or help a client refer themselves, please follow the instructions below.

  1. Identify the client issue as clearly as possible, preferably using the categories noted on the bc211 website.
  2. Seek an appropriate service in your area to serve the client’s needs. EHOs may contact bc211 on behalf of a client or provide the bc211 contact options for a client to follow up personally.

Referring a client

Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands, Squamish-Lillooet, Sunshine Coast:

  • Call 2-1-1 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week), noting that you are an EHO
  • Text the name of your city to 2-1-1 (8 am to 11 pm) (identify yourself as an EHO in a second message)

Outside of the 211 service area:

  • Call 604-875-6381 (EHO use only)
  • Text 604-836-6381 and identify yourself as an EHO

From anywhere in BC:

  • Search for a service on www.bc211.ca.
  • Use webchat on chat.bc211.ca (8am to 11pm) to request a referral, noting that you are an EHO.

Helping a client self-refer

In Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands, Squamish-Lillooet, Sunshine Coast:

  • Call 2-1-1 for multilingual, free, confidential service (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
  • Text the name of your city to 2-1-1 (8 am to 11 pm)

From anywhere in BC:

  • Search for a service on www.bc211.ca.
  • Use web-chat on chat.bc211.ca to request a referral (8am to 11pm).

For the deaf or hard of hearing:

  • Call 604-875-0885 for TTY access
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SOURCE: bc211 Training ( )
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