Category: Blog
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Introducing the Humanitarian Service Data Model
Immediately after a disaster, information managers collect information about who is doing what, and where, and then turn this information into “3W Reports.” While some groups have custom software for collecting this information, the most widespread tool for this work is the spreadsheet. (Indeed, the spreadsheet is still the “lingua franca” of the humanitarian aid community, which…
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Annual Review wrap-up: the path ahead
In 2014, we formed a table and conducted research. In 2015, we initiated action. In 2016, we’ll put these ideas to the test, and learn from our work. Based on your feedback so far, here’s what that might look like… (This note is far from a final word on the matter — please share your…
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2015 in Review: who’s doing what, where and why
In the last blog post, we discussed the different technological products that have emerged through Open Referral. [See our entire 2015 Year in Review here.] In this post, we’ll discuss the different projects in which people are using these tools to find new ways to share and use information about the health, human, and social services available…
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2015 in Review: the building blocks of an open ecosystem
A world in which information about community resources is easy for anyone to find, trust, and effectively use — in whatever way works best for them. This is Open Referral’s hopeful vision of the future. In 2015, we saw the first glimmers of such a world. Let’s take a look: Continue reading →
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2015 In Review: Much Progress and Many Thanks
As we wrap up 2015, I’ve taken a moment to review our progress over the course of the year. It’s been a long journey with lots of moving pieces, and I’m so inspired by the many people who are playing roles of all kinds in this collective effort to reimagine a safety net for the…
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Data for Good Exchange: a new paper with an old concept
In late September I had the privilege to discuss our work at the Data for Good Exchange, a symposium hosted by Bloomberg. As part of the event, I presented a paper which you can read here. Much of the paper recaps the thinking and work behind the Open Referral initiative to date…. Then, taking into…
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Introducing Link-SF to the Open Referral ecosystem
[Welcome to Rose Trujillo of Zendesk! This is cross-posted from Zendesk’s Zengineering Blog.] We’re happy to announce that Link-SF will be a part of Open Referral’s San Francisco pilot project! What is Link-SF? St. Anthony’s Tenderloin Technology Lab serves many low-income San Francisco residents that are looking for web access. Continue reading →
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Data-driven justice in D.C.
Access to clear, reliable, re-usable community resource directory data is not just important for people who are seeking services that meet their immediate needs — it’s also crucial for people who are seeking to understand the workings of the human service system as a whole, as they seek ways improve health and wellness for entire…
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San Francisco’s Open Referral: Getting out and Staying out
Every other year, the Reentry Council of San Francisco publishes Getting Out and Staying Out, a resource guide for people returning from prison and looking for help to get back on their feet. The Guide is more than 300 pages long, containing rich information about hundreds of health, human, and social services that are available…