Thank you for visiting the
2-1-1 of Santa Barbara County website! We hope this detailed
explanation of our search bar helps you. If, after reading this,
you still have any questions, please email the
Webmaster or call Jan at (805) 965-1001 Ext. 224
SEARCH BY KEYWORD
Unlike a standard internet search engine, Information and Referral databases are based upon a national standard of specific Taxonomy (aka keyword) terms for Human Services. Therefore, not everything searched will return results. Keyword searches must match, or closely resemble, pre-existing taxonomy terms in our system. Typing “Legal assistance in Santa Barbara” will not return any results. Typing “Legal assistance”, however, will. In the second step of the search process, you will be able to refine the search.
To do a keyword search, please follow these steps:
- Type a keyword or any part of a keyword (such as “food” or “health care”). Make sure “keyword” is selected in the drop down menu, and click “search”.
- This will take you to Step 2. Here, you will see a list of keywords that contain or relate to the text you entered in step one. For example, if you searched for “health”, your results would show a list of pertinent keywords relating to or containing the word “health”. Typing a more precise keyword (such as “health care” instead of “health”) may return a shorter, more specific list. Click “Next.”
- If you would like to search by only one of the returned keywords, click directly on that word. If more than one keyword meets your need, use the check boxes on the left to select the desired keywords, and click on the “Next” button.
- This brings you to Step 3, which allows you to select the section of county you would like to search in. The entire county can be searched by making no changes and clicking “Next”, or you may select one or more of the options provided and click “Next”. To select more than one area, hold down the “control” key while you select with your mouse.
SEARCH BY AGENCY/PROGRAM NAME
If you know the name of a program you are looking for, type any part of the name or
any acronym (for example, Family Service Agency is searchable by FSA), select
“Agency/ Program Name” from the drop down menu, and click “search”. A list of programs
that meet the criteria you searched for will now be presented to you.
If you are having any problems locating a program or service, please call our
24 hour
2-1-1 Helpline by dialing
2-1-1 from any land phone or 1-800-400-1572
from any land or cell phone.
Our line staff will be more than happy to locate the program or service for you
and provide you with any information you need.
