The 211 system, a help line for social services that kicks off this fall in Snohomish County, is getting a $100,000 boost from the state.

The money will be used in part to help ensure that callers can get help 24 hours a day, said Dennis Smith, executive vice president of United Way of Snohomish County, one of several area organizations supporting the local 211 system.

Snohomish County will serve as home base for a five-county 211 help line in the north Puget Sound region that also includes Island, Skagit, San Juan and Whatcom counties. The 211 system also is expected to be activated in King, Yakima and Clark counties this fall, and eventually will go statewide.

Based on the 911 model, the 211 phone number will link callers with operators who can tell them everything from where the closest food bank is to where to donate used clothing and furniture to area nonprofit agencies.

During emergencies, it will also help those who need assistance not provided by 911 services, such as where families made homeless by fires, floods or earthquakes can go for shelter.

Smith, board chairman of the statewide planning group Washington Information Network 211, said the Legislature just approved $1 million for upgrades to the 211 system.

“We’re very excited that the state has stepped up and supported this,” Smith said.

At least $100,000 of that is expected to come to Snohomish County for operating the North Sound 211 system, he said.

The local system is expected to operate during weekday business hours. The state money is expected to pay for technology improvements so people calling after business hours can be directed to 24-hour operators in King County. Those operators will be able to access information and phone numbers for social service agencies in Snohomish County.

The state money is expected to cover about half the cost of electronically interconnecting eight call centers statewide, Smith said. Other grants are being sought to complete the project.

“Once the full system gets up and running, if you’re here in Everett and have parents in Spokane, you can dial 211 … and they can go on a statewide data base for Spokane” and give them information on services for seniors there, Smith said.

The North Sound 211 system could begin preliminary operations in October and be fully functional by the end of this year, he said.

The first 211 system was established in Atlanta in 1997. Now there are 139 centers serving 100 million people in 28 states.

People trying to get help with social services often have to make up to 15 phone calls, Smith said.

“With 211, an operator is going to be available with all the latest information. Its No. 1 function is to be the front door of local social services,” he said.