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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-19-1998 - 9g~~ ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Action Agenda Item No. ~~ ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 19, 1998 SUBJECT: Computerized Information and Referral-Orange Resource Connection DEPARTMENT: Manager's Office PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) BUDGET AMENDMENT: (Y/N) ATTACHMENT(S): Proposals: Attachment I. Smart Agency II. Triangle United Way III. County Clerk's Office INFORMATION CONTACT: Albert T. Kittrell, Assistant County Manager TELEPHONE NUMBERS: - -ext. 2300 Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 227-2031 PURPOSE: To determine the method for operating the Computerized Information and Referral System-Orange Resource Connection (ORC). BACKGROUND: On February 3, 1998 the Board authorized staff to request proposals for operating the ORC from the County Clerk's Office, Triangle United Way and the UNC School of Social Work-Human Services Smart Agency. The Board also confirmed that the key elements of the Computerized Information and Referral System would be: 1. Assessment Development of assessment instruments that will measure the expectations of the computerized system; assess the agencies use of the database and barriers to using the system; and identify changes needed. 2. stem Support Supporting the software, hardware and training the users of the system. 3. Updating and maintaining the database This includes updating the current database and developing a system which would allow an agency to update its information anytime and have it sent to a data administrator to enter into the system. 4. Marketing Developing an overall marketing strategy for the computerized information and referral system which would include the development of marketing materials. .- 5. Telephone Call-In System Maintaining the telephone call-in system that is currently being staffed by the Triangle United Way. 6. Updating the Orange Book Developing a loose leaf binder to supplement the computerized information and referral system. The Orange Book would be used by community members and agencies that prefer a hard copy of the database. Proposals were received from the Clerk's Office, United Way and the Smart Agency on March 23, 1998. On Apri123, 1998 the Manager's Office convened a meeting among the three agencies. During the meeting, agency representatives discussed their agency's strengths in relation to the key elements. After the meeting, the Manager's Office assigned the key elements based on the unique strengths each agency can contribute to the success of the ORC. The County Clerk's Office decided not to implement any of the key elements. The Smart Agency, United Way, County Library and County staff have reached consensus on the following delegation of tasks for the operation of the ORC. 1) Assessment and 2) System Support The UNC School of Social Work-Human Services Smart Agency is particularly adept in assessing and supporting computerized information and referral systems. As stated in their proposal, the faculty and staff of the Smart Agency has been directly involved with the evaluation and implementation of the IRis computerized information and referral system in 20 counties in the state including Orange and Durham. The Smart Agency would be responsible for developing an assessment instrument, assessing the users to determine if the system is meeting expectations and identifying the changes needed to reach exceptions and overcome barriers. Also, the Smart Agency would install the ORC system, provide software/hardware support and conduct periodic training for all users as requested. 3) Updating and Maintaining the Database, 4) Marketing, and 5) Telephone Call-In System The Triangle United Way is currently updating the ORC database and has maintained the database the past three years. The United Way also updates and maintains the computerized information and referral databases for Wake, Durham and Chatham Counties. The United Way would serve as the central depository for a regional information and referral system that can be unique to each county as well. Additionally, the marketing would be regional and tailored for each county. The United Way would continue to maintain the telephone call-in system for Orange and other counties. 6. Updating the Orange Book The County Clerk's Office and County Library maintained the Orange Book for several years before the information and referral system became computerized. The County Library has agreed to be the focal point for maintaining and disseminating the Orange Book. The County Clerk's Office will continue to play an active role in informing citizens of the Orange Book and referring individuals to the Library. Operational Cost ($43,092 Expenditures Revenues Smart Agency $23,347.24 Orange County $28,000 Assessment $13,321.24 System Support $10,026.00 Triangle United Way $15,750.00 Partnership for Update, Maintain Database $4,450.00 Young Children 15 000 Marketing $5,500.00 Telephone Call-In System $5,800.00 Orange County Library $ 4.000.00 Update Orange Book TOTAL $43,097.24 $43,000 Funding Currently the County contributes $31,000 annually to the operation of the ORC. Under the fiscal year 1998-99 proposal for ORC, the county will contribute $28,000. The Partnership for Young Children believes the delegation of tasks among the three agencies is workable and has tentatively agreed to contribute $15,000 to defray a portion of the operational cost for Fiscal Year 1998/99. Performance Agreement If the proposals are approved, County staff and the Partnership for Young Children representatives will meet with the Smart Agency and United Way to develop an agreement that will specifically describe the scope of work, measurable outcomes, periodic reports from agencies and a method of evaluating the performance of the agencies. RECOMMENDATIONS: The Manager recommends that the Board approve proposals submitted by (1) the UNC School of Social Work-Human Services Smart Agency to provide Assessment and System Support for the ORC at a cost of $23,347.24; (2) the Triangle United Way for Updating/Maintaining the Database, Marketing and Telephone Call-In Services for the ORC at a fee of $15,745.00; and (3) the County Library to Update the Orange Book at a cost of $4,000. Attachment I 4 Prapossl to Orazzge County Government: Assessing, Clpdating and Supporting the Orange Resource Cannectioa T'he Humsn Services Smart Agency The Human Services Smart Agency is a program of the University of North Carolina's School of Social Work. Established in 1992, the program is designed to improve the quality and efficiency of human services for the people of North Carolina and the nation through promoting the eF'cctive use of autocnatiorz technology. The Smart Agency promotes evaluation, aiucatioa, research, and demonstration models of new and useful technology far the human sezviccs. Sgecif~cslly, the Smart Agency provides: • assistance with automation planning and implcmcntativn for public and private human services agencies, . training for human service professionals and students about current and developing trends in autQmation.and information systems, • dcvelopmevt and demonstrations of model environments which simulate human service agency operations and their decision-making processes, and • `~uation-of new automation-models and informatio~te~alogies~Lhuman ~zas~s. As part of the School of Social Work, the Smart Agency also serves the teehtrieal support needs of the School and of community agencies working with the School of Social Work_ Ia our work with human sazvice agencies in past years, we have become convinced of the importance of automaziofl fvz the following reasons: • Human service agencies can reap the benefits possible through limited automation Judicious use of technology should slow the expansion of staff and improve the quality of services offered. . • Automation is greatly aided by developing a plan. An automation plan allows everyone to know and share expectatioru and then work toward similar goals. Staff training is central to the successful use of computers in human service agencies.. Timely and effective training is the best way to prevent personal computers from becoming expensive paperweights. • UnderStandiug the needs of the agencies that request automation will help reduce unnecessary technology. The following project proposal uses the experience of the School of Social Work faculty and the staff of the Human Szrviccs Smart Agency (HSSA} to help the Orange County support the continued work of the Orange Resource Connection. Specifically, this proposal wi11 give Orange County the opportunity ro assess the current Information and Referral, update the system, give system support to the users, and help develop a .marketing strategy. The HSSA is submitting this proposal because of our interest in and c,Yperience with Information and Rcferzal in North Carolina. Faculty and staff i.n this program have been directly involved with the evaluatio~a of the software, and irnplcmcntation of the IRis system in Orange and Durham Coundcs, as we11 as Pitt, Beaufozt, Martin, Bcnie and Hertford Counties. This particular implcmcntation wilt be extended to I Q more eastern counties in the near future. We have also been involved with the assessment and adoption of I & R systems in Forsyth. Buncombe, Madison, Henderson, Transylvania and Ctavcn Couurics. $ack . q~und During the fall and wiIItcr of 1996, the Advisory Board of the Orange Resource Connections defined and helped implement an information wad referral system to be used by human srnice providers is Orange County. The Advisory Board wanted the rystcm to be accessibic to anyone in the county who weeded it, Ieadzng to collecting data from the system to assess community needs. Due to a lack of project funding, the software necessary to develop the data collection system was not purchased initially but the County and United Way planed tv put this plan into place eventually.. Although many more programs wad a;rncics have access to updated data, no more software has been purchased to implement the assessment plans. There is also question as to whether the system is being used successfully and meeting expectations. An attempt leas been made to assess the program's "success"; however, expectations and success were never defined. This pr~opasai includes a baseline measurement of cxpe~ctazions and success, as well as the dcvelopmcrrt of assessment goals. Six activities (phases) aze proposed to support the entreat call-in system. These include as assessment, updating mechanisms, development of the Orange $ook, system support, a mazkctiag plan and a World Wide Web read-only version of the ORC. ` ~~I3Se 1 - ASSt.73Bient _ This phase will include 3 tasks: dcvcloping assessment instruments, assessing the sys-em and analyzing the data. The Information and Referral assessment will include questions about cxgcctations for the system, if the system is meeting expectations, and what changes need to be made to allow expe~ctativns to be reached and to overcome barriers to the system. The assessment will also include questions about what kind of data the County needs thz system to retrieve. Task L- Devclon Assessment lustrtuncnts One instrument will be developed to tncasurc the expectations of an information and referral system. A second instrument will be developed far users of the rystcm as to their use of the database, data and reporting needs, barriers to using the systcm~ and changes that are needed. Faculty members at the School ,of Social Work will review these instruments foz ficc validity. Task Z -Assess Users The first instrument will be sent to rystem users and county leaders to obtain information on expectations for the system. The instrument will be mailed to recipients, and follow-up phone calls will be made to obtain the information from unrcturncd surveys. We will not analyze data until we have 75% of surveys returned. 6 The second instrument will be sent to system users to assess the use of, satisfaction of, and barriers tv using the system. Again this ins-rni.mcnt will be mailed and follow-up phone calls vrill be made for unrcturned surveys. We will not aaaly2e data until 75% of surveys are zetumed. Art addressed envelope, a letter explaining the purpose of the survey, and kow to complete it will accompeny both instrcztncnts. Task 3 -Analyze Data Once 75% of thz surveys arc returned, the data will be analyzed. The results will be sununarized and presented to Orange County at an agreed upon time. Phase 2 - Updatiae the l:uformatifln and Referral System , The datat~ase is only as good as the data is the database. If the dare is otiidatcd, the systcrn is less us~fuL This phase includes updating the cturcnt database as well as devclopi.ng an Internet update system. Task 4 -Develop an Internet Unc~ate System An Internet update system will allow as agency to update i-ts information anytime online and have it sent to the data administrator to ezaer into the system,. 'ibis will reduce the aced for large Yearly updates and allow the database to be updated whenever necessary. It will reduce the time agencies spend updating the paper form as well as reducz the databast administrator's time in chauang the data. With more sad store agencies having access to the Internet, this method is being used more often to update information and referral systems. Tas_ k~U~date Marline Sonic organizations still do not have access to the Irrteraet and will have to manually update their information. Therefore, we will still aced to do a mailing until the lntemet system is developed and all ozganirztioas have access to the Internet This ' mailing will also ask organizations about their knowledge of agencies that ,are not curxendy on the database. Task 6 -Update Database Y ' Update information will be catered into the system as it is received, After the system is updated, the database will be distributed to each organization that is using the databasr. • Phase 3 -System Support • This phase includes supporting the software, hasdwa.~-c and earning for the system. The system currently is not being used as widely as Orange County would like partly because users are not trained to use it, poor comRutcr cg4ipment or lack of need for the system. Because of the lack of training of current users and the often high turnover of human services employees, ongoing training is accessary for this system. Task 7 -Installation and Sutlvort For this task, the HSSA staff will install the OKC system at ~y site with a computer that can handle the software. If problems occt.ri with the system, we will make our best attempt at fixing the situation. If hardware is acedcd, the agency will have to provide the parts necessary for the HSSA to fix the system. We will also give telephone support and technical assistance for upgrading and importing the system. If we cannot a-upport the soft:warc far sonic reason, we will refer the organization to Benchmark for support. The County will be responsible for purchasing support hours from Benchmarfc for this purpose. Task 8 - Training The HSSA will provide training for both the rid-only and the full version of the IR.is system. Formal training will be available for all users of the system with no cbar;e tv ORC users. Training will include using and administering the basic information and referral system as well as importing and exporting data updates. This training does not include training oa the case management system of IIZis version 2. This training would need to be negotiated further. Phase 4 -Orange Book The Orange Book is a hard copy of the information aad referral system. Some organizations and community members prefer to use the hand copy of the information although it c~anot be kept as up-to-date as the online version. The Orange Back may contain additional information including paid advcrtisemeat if the County chooses, however tht HSSA will not be respottrtble for soliciting the advertisements, only including them na the printed version. Task 4 - Dcvclop Prototype for Priatinst. The IRis database system allows user to priest a basic version of the data from the system. This data Aesds to be fuurther organized and formatted for the Orange Book. the data will be organized alphabetically as well as ~by keyword. A table of contents will give ' page numbezs for agencies, programs and keywords to allow for easy starching. Task 1 Q -Printing Duplicating and BindintF This proposal includes the printing, duplicating and binding of loose-leaf copies of 200- books of 8Q0 pages each. If more copies are needed a cost per additional book will be given. The loose-leaf notcbavks allow updated pages can be replaced. Task I 1 -Updating Orange Book As data changes, changes .will occur to the Orange Book. The HSSA will print updated pages evezy 6 months. The county will provide the HSSA with a mailing Iist of all that received Orange Books, and the HSSA. will distribute the updates to these organizations andlor people. Phase 5 - Marketing Strategy, This phase allows for the development of marketing materials that can be used by the ORC to make the community mote aware of the project and indicate locations for information and referral. 8 Task I2 -Announcements This task includes the development and dis~bution of information about the ORC to the news, radio and tclcvision media as wcll as the World Wide Wcb. The HSSA will develop public service announcements to ruakc the communty taore aware of the ORC and asange for repeated messages about the service. The Publications staff at the School of Social Work will assist with these announcements. Task 13 - Brochurzs The HSSA, with the assistance of the School of Social Work's Publications Unit, will develop 3 di.$arent ORC brochures that the County can then have duplicated as needed. Posters, magnets, and handouts can also be used to publicize the system. Yhnse 6 - OIIIine Read-onto Version 'This phase includes the development of a .read-only vc:Zion of IRas for the World Wide Web that emulates the current read-only version. This version would have utultiplc starch capabilities allowing the user to locate a program not Daly by keyword, but also by location and spelling matches. This wcrsivn will recd to be updated on a regular basis and the data firom the main IRis database can be used. Hvw~ver, this procass cannot be a simple importlaxgQrt process. It will approximately 4 hours each time tFus is needed. The HSSA web progranuncr will do this at least once a month. Summary ?his proposal covers the assessment, update, support and marketing for the ORC's information and referral system and the Orange Book. The outcome of the work in this proposal is to gain a better understanding of the expcctatians of the information and referral system at this point in time, define.succcss for the systems and understand barri.crs to a successful system. The county can. also expect a major update of the data, a mechanism for updating the data through tha Internet, and the distribution of the updated system. The HSSA will provide rystem support and installation to these organizations using the system as wcll as regular trainioag on, the system. Thal will help reduce technical barriers to the systcza for the users,.allow for skits cart and teach new u$crs about the system on a regular basis_ The project will also make available a hard copy of the information and referral system as well as a read-only Internet version for alternative usage. Orange County can also' expect the system to be marketed to the community to increase awareness of services in Orange Count}' as wcll to market the rystem to more users in the county. Attachment II 9 Proposal From The Triangle United Way Proposal to Orange Gonnty Government Re: gauge Resource Caanettion ~sessmcat Grange Rcsourc- Conaaxion will dtvclop an ass~~mcut tool to address the arras of concern stated by the Orange County government 1. Design as asscssmeai tool to analyze the present system 2. Conduct face to face intcrviears about the system with users 3. Inquire how agcncirs use the system at pttscat (i.e. as a resousc~ for data collation, rtportzn$ caPalnlities, etc-) 4. Determ~iuc what hosiers exist with the system 5. Determine tacpec-iadans of the system , 1~ UDd1t2n~aIIti IDtinLiiaiaE tht dstx 1. Curttntly the database is being fully updated on an annual basis 2. Updating is being done at a central location, by mat~Iing prograrnrrtatic information to the ageu~cies, with a rtsponx time of two months 3. Information is being updated into the system and will be distributed to the agencies when all the data is titan and updat~cd 4. Devcloging an iatemet site for the users would be fruitless at this point, we do not know the difficulties the use=s fact with day to day operation of the Iris software system; we do however cansidcr this to be a potential goal for the future System Sunoart 1. Iderltify areas of a system support 2. Support the development of the softwar.: package 3. Provide training to current users and new users, tither in a classrooza seeing or at individual agencies 4. Provide troublcshaotiag for the softwa.rc package.. If our assistance could not hcIp solve the problem we would refer them to Bcuchtnark, makers of the IItis soRu+arc package (This can be costly and the County tray need to pwrchase support hours from Benchtriarlc) ~. yionitor usage of IRis software and provide txhnical assistance to help advance the usage 6. We will not address hardwart nceds of the users i.e.: old computer systems, no spare.- on hard drive, hard drive making strange noises etc. All of these questions have already been asked. We Will attempt to provide techaie~l assistance via our Tram Tech project, to object2vely assess current operating rystema and sugQ,est a volunteer to assist them in their psrticulAr dikmms 10 UDdsting the Orange Book I . The Orange Book wiII be produced annually 2. Currtnt updated information in the database w~I be used as the body of the Orange Book 3. Iksigtuag the layout and format of informatioa, categories, conter~ keyword search and ! or alghabeiical index 4. Solicit bids from community printzrs to produce Orange Book 5. Decide whether advertising is a pota~tial means to support cost of the directory (if this is the route taken, decide who can advertise in the Orange Book -health and human service providers, and for profit businesses) 6_ Research having the dtrcctory undtrwritGen by a Iocal business TeImhoue Gll-In Systcao~ 1. CurrcatIy being administered by Wake County staff 2. Orange Resouzu Coancaran will maintain the local telephone system as it was originally designed 3. Call volume will be measured on the current inter-rive software package 4. Statistical data will be generated. on demographic information, including where, when, what, and why clients called the telephone Line 5. Fallow-np on pc~catage of collets. This wiU allow for accurate ~i aad utili~tion of the refeaals and allows ORC to stay cognizant of services not being provided, via the unmet needs report (sre enclosed chart) M~rketiag 1. Identify haw Orange GounrylCommunity presently idcntif es with ORC 2_ Develop a long tee public relations plan 3. Design PSAs, brochures, bookmarks, phone stickers, ma~ets and other items as needed 4. Design infornzaiion to rta~ch targeted audiences who would not ordinarily know of the service (newcomers, Spanish-speaking adults, teens, etc.) 5. Identify language barriers to promote better utili~on of the service 6. Continue to provide information tv marketing staff in order t,o advance PR throughout the region vie Triangle United Way, including the web site, quarterly nEwsletters distributed to corporations, acid nocrprofit agencies The Ututcd Way, will continue to approach additional funding soarers to support the future sustainability of the information and referral service in Orange County. Therefor we will seek to reduce reliance on any one funding source allowing this service to be a truly cooperative system_ Proposed Orange County Information Refefral Budget KEY E~i~tt=l~tTS Casa Assotiafed with Ke Eiear~ents Assessmarri 4000 U tint ane Maintaini the Data 400 S Su tt 3Sa0 U tfie Oran Boots q~0 Te hone Cat1 in S Sad0 hlartcatin Sb04 O r'aTin ~ 36,Z~ 3 Total Ex rases _-6Z,4b3 ii Y ~• 12 Attachment III MEMO RATIDLIM TO: Albert Kittrell, Assistant County Manager FROM: Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk to the Berard ~,~~~¢~ DATE: March 23, i 998 SUBJECT: INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICE PROPOSAL i have attached my proposal for.providing information and referral services to the Orange County servke agencies and to the cftfzeru of Orange County. My proposal builds upon a cailaborative effort between the Cler'k's office and the human servke agencies for providing inforrnatfon and referral services_ This collaboration includes the County's Human Servkes Analyst Posftion which is intended to coordinate and develop appikattoru for human services. Most importantly, tfiis collaboration will provide continufry with the County's human service deparunenu through the Human Services Management Team. These departments are important because they work every day with citizens who may need to access other resources. The library will serve as the focal point far citizens to access the information through the World Wide Web or through the Orange Book. By involving human service agencies and the County's human servke departments, the citizeru of Orange County will benefrt through improved access. I have tried to be comprehensive and al( inclusive in my proposal. If I have missed a key issue, please let me know. If you have questions about my proposer(, please contact me at exceruion 213Q. Thank you for your consideration of my proposal to sere the citizens of Orange County by providing access to the resources available in Orange County. ' History On August 20, 199, the Orange County Board of CorLmissioners signed an agre~r,-lent 13 with the United Way of Greater Orange County to operate an automated information and referral rystem. The County allotted 525,000 and The Partnership for Young Children (Smart Start) contnbuted 550,000 for start-up and ongoing costs for the project. In September 1995, citing higher-than-expe:ted start-up cos'~s, United Way asked for and received an additional 515,000 from the Board. Orange County and Smart Start contnbuted a total of 5140,720. The target date for the beginr_ing of service was January 1996. Service delivery began in March 1996 as Orange Resource Connection. Between l~fay and September 1996, staff' turnover and reassigrunent of duties within the newly consolidated Triangle United Way created gaps in the delivery of services. Purpose 1. To provide informadon on Orange County resources for Orange County Citizens paid for by Orange County dollars 2. More personal approach'~~service delivery 3. Access to a computerized information referral system for Orange County service `` agencies and Orange County citizens 4. Telephone and web access to the general public ~. Continuous updates of a comprehensive database on existing community services 6. Hard copy of resource directory (Orange Book) Proposed Services . 1. Begin immediate operation of referral system - no Iag time between acquisition and start of service delivery 2. Posting of service on County World Wide Web site 3. Update and convert database to Microsoft Access 4. Resume publication of Orange Book ~. Develop questionnaire for service provider to determine method of referral 6. Logging of calls and "hits" on web site to determine usage Effectiveness of a Locally ~I~anaged Computerized I&R System • Connectivity of all Human Service Agenaes with intenet access and a-mail • Calls will be handled by Human Service workers who are already familiar with services Listed in the I&R Guide • Ongoing technical support and training will be available to help nonprofits access the information • Coordination and communication among human services agencies would be enhanced • Program oversight will be provided by the Clerk to the Board and the Human Services Analyst position • Providing access over the Internet and using ofr-the-shelf software will not involve costs associated with installation of new sofrwzre • There will be a link fi om this web site to available resources in surrounding counties Staff Resources Required 1. Information Systems assistance in converting exiling database; conversion to 14 itificrosoft Access; developing repot format for publication of Orange gook; periodic updates and maintenance 2. Library-The Library will serve as the focal point for non agency based I&R in the county. ~R hardware and software will be available for public use in aIl county libraries. The Orange Book will be displayed in key Locations in the various reading rooms. 3. Human Service Departments -The Human Services Analyst position will coordinate the I&R automation activities with the full time I&R staff position. The Analyst will work with the I&R position to insure coordination between the human service departments located at the Whiffed Building and the Southern Human Services Center. The Analyst will also insure that I~cR automation is integrated with other automation efforts. 4. CIerk to the Board of Commissioners -full-time position for resource person to handle teleplhone inquiries, coordinate updates for electronic dissemination and work with IS on software conversion, update, maintenance and distribution of the Orange Book This position wr11 also coordinate and serve as a liaison with county human -' services and non proft c'o~nmunity agencies. Specific Functions of the FuII-time I&R Position + interact with agencies to be sure information is current • staff the information line • develop a plan for marketing and outreach to increase visibility • maintain the Orange Book by printing and distributing changes quarterly • provide technical support for the users of the system • provide training in using the system • provide technical support for outreach in the form of newsletters, brochures, ' etc. Other stag' in the County Commissioners Office will put the information on the Orange County Web site for quick Internet access. Additional Costs Personnel Costs including benefits Copy costs for Orange Book, brochures and other outreach materials Incidentals Needs In October 1997, the County Manager's office surveyed the ~~ human services agencies that use Orange Resource Connection. More than 90 percent of respondents said that the I&R system was an important resource in the County. Just over half rated the service as "reliable" and said that it allowed their stall to respond promptly to client's questions and concerns. Responding agencies referred clients using the I&R rystem an average of two times per month. They used the I&R system for non-referral purposes 0.45 times per month. More than 40 percent of users reported problems with the I&R software. More than half of respondents indicated that they would like to see the I&R system expanded. Cs;'. • The majority oEcomptaints gene:ated by t,`~e survey dealt with computer hardware or ~= software problems. The IRis system is a proprietary rystem that requires a high level of 15 - computer resources to operate effectively. Converting the FoxPro database to a Windows- based il2taosoft Access platform could alleviate many of the problems users experienced. -- Other users cited lack of Internet access or computer resources: A continuously updated Orange Book could serve those users. It is clear that while most users would like to see the system expanded, the survey responses indicating an average of two referrals per month generated by the existing rystem do not support such a course of action. Amore prudent course would be to scale back the regional approach to information and referral service delivery and concentrate on providing those services to the agencies and citizens of Orange County. Orange Book Although the survey indicated that 12 users feel that the ORC was a better toot than the Orange Book, 50 did not respond. When the Orange Book was published and updated bi- annually, there were over 40f}.~sers of this guide. We propose to provide access to this information by Internet, disk and paper copy. One of the comments on the survey was "Books are on the way for those of us who don't have the ~ for computers on every employee's desk - I hope." The survey indicates that there are still human service providers who prefer to use the Orange Book rather than accessing the information through the computer. TR.is System We do not propose to use the IRis System because of its complexity and the delay in updating and ma;rrta;n;ng the information due to having to rely on the parent compazry, which is based in Florida. Also, the software would -need to be continually updated at an additions.[ cost. By using Microsoft Access, we wdI be able to update the information as necessary on the web site and to update the Orange Book quarterly. Name We propose to keep the name "Orange Resource Connection". If that is not possible, we would propose another. name which emphasis help for citizens. • Orange Resource Connection • Orange I&R • Interact Orange • Orange I&R $elpline • Countywide I&R • Orange Connectivity • Connect Orange • The Orange Connection ' Advisory Board ib We propose to use an advisory board with representatives from the following agencies: • County Commissioners' Office • County Manager's Office • Dept. of Social Services • Interfaith Councd • OCIM • Library • Partnership for Young Children • Department on Aging • Nonprofit Agencies (4) • Orange County's Human Services Management Team (HSI~tI') The charge to this advisory board would be to develop an evaluation instrument to measure the effectiveness of the system and to serve in an advisory capacity. Future Initiatives ,~~. , • providing the guide is Spanish • providing access through computers Iocated at various community centers, fre stations, etc. throughout the County Results and Outcomes: 1. Information aad referral to all Orange County residents 2. Single point of entry into a complex social service network 3. Centralized database of health and human services 4. Linkage to providers by electronic network We do not feel the County should be in the business of collecting statistical data or doing statistical analysis of unmet needs, demographics, pertinent geo~aphic information ar gaps in services. Many other organizations perform this service in the County so it would represent a duplication of effort. The computerized information system will provide a way for agencies to collect this information including client specific information, jeogt'aphic information, age, need, how they heard of their service and issues surrounding their specific problem. This information would be best collected by the human service and non-profit agencies.