The "Bridging the Gap" project will develop the technological link between proprietary software and existing Internet XML standards to enable unlimited resource sharing (locally and nationally) to transform information and referral activities. The project will identify and resolve computer programming conflicts by developing standard data format structures and by creating data conversion rules and routines. Computer software tools created by this project will link disparate social service resource databases using the market-leading proprietary software. A central system and server will accept Internet-enabled uploads from participating agencies and provide a searchable web-based database. Information will be available (1) through a consumer-friendly Internet site; (2) by dialing 2-1-1 in certain parts of the state, and (3) through various social service organizations throughout the state.
The project outcomes are to: (1) reduce the time consumers and case managers spend searching for health and human services; (2) reduce agency time maintaining duplicative database resources; and (3) improve consumer choice and access to health and human services.
Partners in the project include: Alliance of Information & Referral Systems (AIRS), INFO LINE of Los Angeles, Lincoln/Lancaster County Health Department, Nebraska Health & Human Services, United Way of the Midlands, Volunteers of America/Panhandle Partnership, and software vendors Bowman Systems, RTM Designs, Sun Coast, and VisionLink.
