SF Open Referral
The Problem
Agencies and organizations create and maintain many different community resource directories. Each organization applies similar resources and effort against a shared issue, but there is no shared knowledge. Although they share similar goals and challenges, these efforts work in isolation of each other.
- Individuals seeking help are left to navigate confusing lists of resources that may or may not lead them to what they need.
- Social workers and other intermediaries must master multiple lists of competing information, making it hard to connect their clients to the relevant help.
- Community development initiatives are left paying for new research to understand the state of their community resources.
Data - Many Locations and Formats
Where does the data live?
- internal contract management systems
- printed resource guides
- administration databases
- internal PDFs
- the minds of single employees
Opportunity - Data should be free!
We see an opportunity to free this data so it can be:
- published in a standardized format
- easily accessible
- easy to update
- a precedent for modern referral systems
And ultimately: Deliver consistent, high quality social services to those in need!
Additional Resources
- Getting started guide
- Mid-market pilot description