White Papers
A Two Part Series on Technology and the Future of America’s Information & Referral Ecosystem
Technology for a Healthier World
Creating Better Ways for Communities to Work Together to Improve Access to Life-Changing Social Services
For more than 25 years, the 211 network has served as a trusted front door to America’s social safety net, helping millions of people find housing, food, healthcare, childcare, and other essential services. Yet the technology infrastructure supporting this work is increasingly strained by growing demand, fragmented systems, and the rising complexity of service delivery. In Technology for a Healthier World, One Degree examines the forces reshaping the Information & Referral ecosystem and outlines a vision for next-generation digital infrastructure for 211s that empowers communities, strengthens local providers, and uses AI responsibly to help more people successfully access life-changing services.
From Referrals to Enrollment
How AI, Interoperability and Trust are Transforming Social Service Navigation
Improving access to life-changing social services has become a multi-billion dollar cross-sector public policy challenge impacting the lives of millions of families. In From Referrals to Enrollment, One Degree explores why the future of social service innovation depends on moving beyond referrals toward coordinated enrollment infrastructure powered by AI, interoperability, and trust. The paper examines the limitations of today’s systems, the growing opportunity to modernize service delivery, and the unique role that community-governed institutions like 211 can play in building the public-interest digital infrastructure needed to help more people successfully access the support they need.
