Enhanced Child Referral Rates Through 211 Call Center Care Coordination

A recent study highlights the positive impact of integrating the 211 call center for early childhood development care coordination within Los Angeles County. By partnering with the Information and Referral Federation of Los Angeles County 2-1-1, families of children aged 11 to 42 months—who were at risk of developmental delays—were better connected to necessary services. The study involved a randomized control trial with two groups: one receiving augmented care coordination through 211LA and the other receiving standard care. Results showed that children in the intervention group had significantly higher rates of referrals and enrollment in developmental and support services after 24 months. Specifically, 43% of children in the care coordination group were referred to services compared to 35% in the control group, with 28% enrolled versus 20%. The benefits were especially prominent among children with moderate to high developmental needs, where enrollment in services reached 54% in the intervention group. Early receipt of services was also demonstrated through survival analysis, underscoring the efficiency of this approach. The findings suggest that widespread implementation of 211-based care coordination could improve early intervention systems and help address disparities in access to developmental support for children. The study was published in the journal Pediatrics (2025) and emphasizes the importance of strategic care collaborations to enhance early childhood health outcomes.