Author: Greg Bloom
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Deep Dive into version 1.0
Earlier this month, we published version 1.0 of the Human Service Data Specification (HSDS). Let’s take a deeper dive into it. What is the Human Service Data Specification (HSDS)? The HSDS is a format for data exchange, specifically designed to enable the publication of machine-readable data about health, human, and social services that are available…
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Introducing Version 1.0 of the Human Service Data Specification
We’re pleased to announce the release of version 1.0 of the Human Services Data Specification (HSDS, also known as the Open Referral format). Read the specification here: Google Docs and Github. The purpose of HSDS is to make it easy for community resource directory data to be exchanged among different kinds of information systems, in order to make information…
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Our Inaugural Year in Review
As we wrap up 2015, I’ve taken a moment to recap our launch and progress so far in an End of Year Report. The document is available for comment and download here. I’m including my own note of introduction here: Last year, in 2013, I saw an opportunity. While working on what we now call DC…
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Year in Review: a lot to shout-out about
As the year winds to a close, I want to take a moment to give thanks to some of the people who have made the Open Referral Initiative possible so far. My first thanks should go to Bread for the City in D.C., where this whole initiative began. BFC is a rare and inspiring kind…
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Final ‘Request for Comment’ period before version 1.0
[Update: Embedded video/notes from Assembly discussions on 12/5.] We’ve just posted version 0.8 of the Human Service Data Specification. Check it out here. See an example CSV package here, and SQL examples here. Among various other changes, the model now includes the means to overlay a taxonomy for types of services. It also specifies more…
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Human Service Data Spec updated, now in spreadsheet form, with sample package
Currently in version 0.4, the Human Service Data Specification (HSDS) is under development by our technical lead, the Ohana Project’s Sophia Parafina, who is busy incorporating feedback from our workgroup, workshop, and public comments. While Sophia’s work is underway, you can now … Continue reading →
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A look inside the DC Open211 project
Over at Code for DC’s blog, the DC Open211 team reports back from the kickoff of the ‘Rebuilding Re-entry’ social lab. At this event, a number of groups explored the various challenges facing people who return from prison — and one of the most prominent themes was the difficulty of finding reliable information about services that…
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Version 0.2 of Human Services Data Specification: what’s new, what’s ahead
UPDATE: Version 0.2 Version 0.4 of the Human Services Data Specification (i.e. the Open Referral model) is posted! While working through the ‘alpha’ specification (v0.1) we received in-depth feedback and suggestions from a great cross-section of perspectives, including community … Continue reading →
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Updates to our Strategic Framework: a summary of emerging changes
We’re just past halfway into the first year of the Open Referral Initiative, and I’ve just posted an updated version of our ‘Public Documentation’ — a living document that lays out the strategic framework of this project. You can read … Continue reading →