How-To-Compile a Human Services Directory: The First Step in Establishing an Information and Referral System

摘要

The process followed by the Office of Human Resources of Selingsgrove, Pa., in planning, researching, and organizing a directory of all the human services agencies and groups serving the citizens of Union and Snyder Counties, Pa., is described. The stages in compiling the directory were as follows: (1) planning, (2) information collection, (3) data organization, (4) putting it all together, (5) distribution, and (6) updating the directory. The planning stage consisted of reviewing the literature on resource inventories; establishing an interdisciplinary agency planning and steering committee; identifying components of the resource inventory and the information items to be collected on each agency or group to be listed; identifying the format for printing, drafting information collection forms, compiling a list of agencies to be included; setting up recordkeeping on information gathering and updating; determining the information collection process; and establishing the number of directories needed. Information collection consisted of obtaining the information on the agencies and groups through the method decided upon in the planning stage and proofreading the forms for completeness. Data organization involved categorizing and organizing the data for the agency index, the problem index, the program index, and the special listings index. The stage of putting it all together involved placing information in the proper order, determining divider needs for quick information retrieval, and deciding how to educate people about using the directory. The distribution stage consisted of deciding whether the directory was to be free or, if not, what it would cost, and the plan for distribution. The stage of updating the directory involved determining the frequency for updates, if the agencies were to be updated simultaneously, how to check existing information, and how to provide directory users with the updated material. Materials used in the compilation of the directory are appended.