The Path—Next Generation

The Scope of Work: Create an online resource (an app) for CLIENTS in difficult circumstances—people in trouble and needing to survive on limited resources. People like:

Prison inmates immediately before and after release

The newly homeless

Emancipated youth and runaways

Domestic violence victims seeking shelter

Discharged veterans

Immigrants, migrants and refugees

Job hunters of all kinds

... in fact, anyone who might need a helping hand.

The app will also be a resource for any AIDES to these clients...

social workers

counselors and therapists

clergy

first responders

librarians

ER and clinic staff

parole officers

family members

media, both social and commercial

and others.

First Generation: The Path in its current rendition consists of a pair of web pages (The Directory and The Library) located on my personal website.

In building the lists of service providers for The Directory, I began searching in the greater Portland area and progressed to some statewide providers. Eventually I'm planning to expand to providers in all of Washington State, then to other western states, and to national providers.

The Library is working fine for now as a web page. Eventually I'd like to make it more appealing and accessible.

The Directory in its present form is problematic; it has become cumbersome as I've added more and more entries to the single webpage. As a result it's difficult to narrow a search to just the most appropriate services. The challenge with a dense, one-dimension list is being able to pull out the right information and only the most appropriate information. Clearly the next step is toward a more intelligent and interactive alternative.

Where to take if from here: I see two options for continuing and improving this project:

refine the current array of webpages, with focus on the structure of The Directory to make search and navigation easier;

take an entirely new approach, the Next Generation: build an app for smartphones and desktops querying a cloud-based database, using GPS and other online resources.

Next Generation: I'll be seeking technical help (and funding) to create Option 2. The possibility of a greater user base and greater functionality continues to appeal to me. The following is the mobile application as I currently envision it—how the app might be used by a typical client or aide.

I start with a very rough portrayal of what the user might see when she brings up the app—just to give you a feel for the concept. While presentation would be specific to the type of device, the progression of input screens would be similar on all: phone, pad or desktop.

The Home screen simply seeks a starting location for a search. Upon opening on a mobile device, the GPS would fill in the current location.

The Search screen would contain a scrollable list of services. Each item in the list would be a trigger to start a query in search of that specific service within the designated area.

The Results screen lists the found services in order of proximity to the address up front. Upon selecting a provider...

The Details screen displays contact information and any special notes useful to the client.

Here's the basic schema:

The Path will be a multi-platform application that queries a set of cloud-based databases in response to an array of criteria. The app will employ a well-designed and esthetically pleasing interface that will make it easy to find the kind of help that anyone in the above categories might need in a hurry. The solution will work on any platform, any device, have a great deal of intelligence behind it, and be comprehensive in scope.

An example. A client lives near Ventura Park in northeast Portland and needs nutritional support for her child through the federally sponsored Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. She doesn't know how to go about signing up for the program and wants to visit a WIC office.

If she selects "WIC benefits" from the Search list, immediately the database is searched for all providers supporting the WIC program in the vicinity of her GPS-designated local ZIP Code. Ideally, responses would be ordered by proximity to the client's location. One of several responses might show up on the return screen as...

Provider: Northeast Portland WIC Office
Address: 5329 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97211 [1.6 mi.] (go there now)
Phone: 503-988-3503 (call now)
Hours: Today 9 AM to 5 PM. OPEN NOW
Note: see the OHA and USDA websites for instructions and more locations.

The 'call now' feature might only be operable on mobile devices, but 'go there now' might work on all devices given the user's current location address. The app might be able to tap into mapping databases (Google Maps maybe?) to determine best routes for walking, driving, using public transport, etc.

A few challenges:

Design a resource that's cost-free, easy to use, rapid, comprehensive and accurate.

Make it available on desktops, laptops, pads, smart phones, etc.

Populate the database with information on providers in the greater Portland area to begin with, then cover every county in Oregon, then cover neighboring states, then national.... (This will involve organization and paid staff as it grows. Regardless, the app must be widely available at no cost.)

Ensure that the database is secure and at the same time editable with input from service providers.

Use GPS and other available technologies to determine the most appropriate local resources to display.

Find a way for this to go universally viral.

When a working prototype is available I'll be asking for testers to verify the app on a variety of devices and on various operating systems. At the same time I'll need help filling the database and assuring quality and currency of data.

When the app is ready and the database is large enough, the app must go viral. I'm determined to make that happen.

Updated 7/19/21. This webpage will document progress and next phases of this project.