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Taming the Wild Beast: Indexing with the AIRS/LA County Taxonomy of Human Services. A Two Part Worksh0p for the 2014 Airs conference Atlanta June 2, 2014. Robin Pokojski – Call Center Manager Cathy Vaisvil – Resource Manager United Way 2-1-1 MO and SWIL.
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Taming the Wild Beast: Indexing with the AIRS/LA County Taxonomy of Human Services A Two Part Worksh0p for the 2014 Airs conference Atlanta June 2, 2014 Robin Pokojski – Call Center Manager Cathy Vaisvil – Resource Manager United Way 2-1-1 MO and SWIL
“All things are difficult before they are easy.” Thomas Fuller
Workshop Objectives To review the Taxonomy’s structure and design To introduce basic principles and practices in indexing To help recognize decisions to be made when using Taxonomy To discuss maintenance and customization
What is a taxonomy? A thorough classification system, that distinguishes concepts, names those concepts and puts those concepts into a hierarchical order Name some examples of a taxonomy?
What is a taxonomy? Dewey Decimal System Phone Book Headings Plant and Animal Species Names
But a taxonomy of services? Classifies “things done” rather than “things” Provides structure for information Tells people what is in your system And how to find it!
AIRS/211 LA County Taxonomy Work on taxonomy began in 1982 Full printed version completed 1987 Continually developed and assessed by full time editor and researcher, Georgia Sales – LA County 2-1-1. Specifically designed for indexing community resources in a computerized environment Endorsed by AIRS and United Way Worldwide Originally designed for US, now two Canadian versions
AIRS Standard 9: Classification System/Taxonomy The I&R service shall use the AIRS/211 LA County Taxonomy of Human Services (formally titled A Taxonomy of Human Services: A Conceptual Framework with Standardized Terminology and Definitions for the Field) to index and facilitate retrieval of resource information, increase the reliability of planning data, make evaluation processes consistent and reliable, and facilitate national comparisons of data. Additional classification structures such as keywords may supplement the Taxonomy, but must be connected to the Taxonomy rather than functioning as independent indexing systems.
Benefits of the Taxonomy Structure is comprehensive in scope Logical and exclusive niche for every concept Compatible with the way services are actually delivered Incorporates terminology accepted in the human service field Terms are clearly defined and cross referenced
Benefits of the Taxonomy Language and structure are simple Structure is flexible to permit change and growth Users can customize to meet their own needs Saves money!
Benefits of the Taxonomy All terms can be rolled up so statistics are easier to collect and report!
How do I get access to the Taxonomy? Taxonomy SubscriptionRates
Types of Agency Services Primary Secondary Indirect Ancillary Phantom
Primary Services Entry point services Open to anyone who meets eligibility Always index primary services (unless they don’t fall within your agencies inclusion/exclusion criteria)
Secondary Services Must already be receiving primary services to be eligible to receive secondary services DON’T index secondary services (though it’s useful to mention them in service descriptions)
Indirect Services Services an agency does not directly provide DON’T index indirect services (or at least index them under the proper term)
Ancillary Services Services which an agency provides but NOT worth the effort to index DON’T index ancillary services
Phantom Services Services that an agency claims to offer…but rarely does! DON’T index phantom services It’ll come back to haunt you later!
Can you figure out which services to code??? First Night Columbia was established in 1994 and currently takes place throughout 12 venues in The District, downtown Columbia. A USA National Certified 5K Run/Walk starts the event at 4:00. Entertainment and activities in the venues begin at 7:00 p.m. with the Teen Venue and Children’s Art Area starting at 6:30 p.m. One of the main goals of First Night Columbia is to provide a safe and fun event for our youth at our Teen Venue and other venues by promoting creative fun and fitness on a high-risk night resulting in good physical, emotional and mental health. We believe the opportunities First Night has developed and continues to develop promotes a healthy community of young people. Our desire is to reach and make our event accessible to all cultures of diverse race, economic variables, physical capabilities and artistic interests. Our partnerships with multiple organizations in Columbia support our vision and efforts.
Can you figure out which services to code??? LifeHouse exists to equip, enable, encourage, and strengthen expectant mothers in crisis through shelter, education, and advocation, in a safe and loving environment. Through these provisions, the goal is to empower expectant mothers with life skills they can utilize for their personal success and for the future success of their unborn child.
Can you figure out which services to code??? Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, provides the highest level of medical care, technology, services, equipment and facilities in promoting the health and well-being of children in the region, from birth through adolescence. Patients and their families are treated with compassion in a family-centered environment that recognizes their physical, emotional, financial, social and spiritual needs. The comprehensive health care environment provided by the hospital includes clinical services, research and teaching efforts which are designed to serve today's and tomorrow's children and the community in which they live.
Taxonomy Structure Divides all human and social services into 10 service category with a separate 11th target group section B Basic Needs D Consumer Services F Criminal Justice and Legal Services H Education J Environmental Quality L Health Care N Income Support and Employment P Individual and Family Life R Mental Health Care and Counseling T Organizational/Community/International Services Y Target Populations
Taxonomy Structure Each section is broken up into “branches” that consist of up to 6 increasingly narrow classification levels Each term has a unique identification number – its Taxonomy code Consisting of letters and numbers, that reflects its exact placement in the hierarchy
Branch Sample N Income Support & Employment ND Employment ND-1600 Employee Certification ND-1600.9500 Work Permits ND-1600.9500-300 Home Work Permits ND-1600.9500-950 Youth Work Permits
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Branch Sample Showing Relationships
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Path Leading to Specific Term
Terms and Cross References • Each term, also known as a Preferred Term has a code and a precise and concise definition • Use References are non-preferred terms which point to the preferred term you should use • See Also References point to other preferred terms of potential interest to your general search
Types of Taxonomy Terms Service Terms Organization/Facility Type Terms Named Program Terms Modality/Delivery Format Terms Target Terms
Service Terms Specific services offered to individuals seeking assistance The vast majority of terms are service terms (Branch B through T)
Organization/Facility Type Terms Describes what an organization is which often implies what they do They are scattered throughout the taxonomy branches (Branch B through T)
Named Program Terms Describe a small number of “shortcut” terms for nationwide, widely known programs Known to most social service providers, making it unnecessary to index the specific services which come under their umbrella
Modality/Delivery Terms Describes the way in which a service is delivered Should link to a Service Term * Ability to link will be dependent upon the software
Target Terms Describes groups to which a service is aimed Can be used to more narrowly focus indexing Should link to a Service Term The Y Branch of the taxonomy, encompasses Target Terms and the YZ branch covers topical identifiers/issues * Ability to link will be dependent upon the software
Things to Consider when using Target Terms DON’T Over Use!!! Can quickly get way out of hand If a service is generally for most people DON’T use a target term at all DON’T use target terms if the population group is indicated in the taxonomy term definition
Scenarios Program Type: Homeless temporary shelter Services Provided To: Pregnant women Ongoing Requirements of Residents: Random drug testing Participation in religious activities Must save certain amount of money Requirements UPON ENTRY to the program: Background check Drug screening Living Arrangements: 2 or 3 residents/families share a bedroom Community kitchen Community bathroom Please specify: Pregnant women are welcome to remain in the LifeHouse program until approximately 3 months after the birth of their child(ren).” Homeless Shelter* Pregnant Women or Maternity Homes?
Scenarios Description: Children's Mercy Hospital provides the highest level of medical care, technology, services, equipment and facilities in promoting the health and well-being of children in the region, from birth through adolescence. Patients and their families are treated with compassion in a family centered environment that recognizes their physical, emotional, financial, social and spiritual needs. The comprehensive health care environment provided by the hospital includes clinical services, research and teaching efforts which are designed to serve today's and tomorrow's children and the community in which they live. Children’s Hospitals (LL-3000.1450) NOT Hospitals*Children
Scenarios Delivers bags with food, clothing, bedding and toiletries to sites where homeless individuals might be dwelling. Street Outreach Programs*Homeless Individuals (Wrong because definition defines this population) Service Description: Parenting with Love and Limits: Six-week program where parents gather to learn and share parenting knowledge and experiences. Eligibility: The program is specifically geared toward parents with children with severe behavioral and/or emotional problems. Parent Support Groups*Parents of Children with Disabilities
Scenarios Provides food assistance to area residents who are in need. Would not do: Food Pantries*Men Food Pantries*Women Food Pantries*Children Food Pantries*Seniors Food Pantries*Pregnant Women Food Pantries*Homeless Veterans Etc., etc. – too many terms!!
