InformationPerth.ca: About Us

Background

In 2001 community organizations in Stratford and the County of Perth, formed a steering committee to examine the availability and information resources in Perth County. This group included the Stratford Public Library, Perth District Health Unit, Grey Bruce Huron Perth District Health Council, Family Services Perth Huron, Canadian Mental Health Association, Stratford Neighbourly Services, United Way, YMCA, Optimist Place, Community Care Access Centre, Perth Care for Kids and WRED. The group determined that the lack of a central comprehensive community services directory was a major detriment in the community.End user access and agency-to-agency referrals were hampered by a lack of awareness of existing services and programs within the community.

After several months of discussion, the steering committee recognized the need for a comprehensive listings of community services. The following core principles were determined for a Community Services Directory (CSD):

• The directory must be broad based, covering Stratford and all of Perth County;
• The directory must be as inclusive as possible, listing services, programs, agencies in all categories: health, social services, government services, seniors services, sports, culture and recreation, service clubs, education, religion, child care and child development, and shelter;
• The directory is free to all;
• The directory will be web based;
• The directory will allow agencies to manage database records through the Internet;
• The directory will not, unless necessary, duplicate existing databases but rather will provide links and pathways so the user can access the information from the original PCIN point of contact;
• Responsibility for content will be shared among the community advisory group.

Following the completion of the steering committee’s work, an advisory group was formed to implement the plan. The Community Advisory Group consists of the following organizations: Perth County Information Network (PCIN), Perth District Health Unit, Early Years Centre, Perth Care for Kids, United Way, Government Information Centre, and the Canadian Mental Association.A federation of information providers, located in Perth County–the Perth County Information Network (PCIN)–agreed to spearhead the community services database project.

The InformationPerth Community Services Database

The Community Services Database will provide access for the citizens of Perth County to relevant information about available programs and services within the county. Information about daycare, counselling, educational institutions, legal services, health, charities, cultural and recreational events, sports, youth development and volunteer opportunities will be available all in one place through an simple and easy to use search interface. For example, a mother could search the database for information on day care facilities, access and costs.

Target Groups

Public at large

• This project identifies and addresses information needs particular to Perth County. No other database is known to exist, that allows individuals to freely access relevant, comprehensive, current, and accurate information relating to community objectives, opportunities and resources.For example, a person may use the database to find information on respite care for a partner suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

Community Agencies

• Community agencies have been involved since the inception of this project and therefore, play an integral role. The agencies discuss the needs of the community based on their first-hand knowledge within specific sectors. The process has included representatives from the community in order to ensure information sharing, accuracy of the database, and realization of community capacity building.
• The database, as a referral tool, will provide community agencies with information on other community organizations throughout Perth County. This information enables agencies to respond to client needs in a holistic manner.In other words, the client is directed to the most appropriate resource in order to meet his/her individual needs.

Potential Volunteers

• The database will offer potential volunteers an organizational snapshot of any/all community agencies and organizations throughout the County.Based on agency information and available volunteer opportunities, an individual interested in volunteering, a person can identify appropriate volunteer matches.

Responsibilities of PCIN within the InformationPerth Community Database Project

As the lead partner, the Perth County Information Network is providing the following services to enable development of the CSD:

• The Stratford Public Library at its premises at 19 St. Andrew Street, Stratford, hosts the database on the PCIN web site server.
• PCIN is responsible for the development of the web site and database
• PCIN provides administration and technical support, including keeping records of the advisory committee meeting and distributing same; and
• PCIN will ensure that the database is developed following established principles as endorsed by InformCanada* using the AIRS Taxonomy of Human Services.

Project Development

In order to achieve our objectives, a Community Advisory Group was created to obtain input and advice from the community, from both creators of information, professional users of the information and individual clients requiring information. Thus, the Advisory Group welcomes to the table:

• Community or social agencies/organizations with an interest in making information available to and accessible by the community;
• Agencies willing to post their databases to the CSD web site;
• Agencies interested in collecting community information; and
• Individuals who use community information and wish to volunteer their time and skills towards the project.

At present the Community Advisory Group consists of:

• PCIN
• Perth District Health Unit
• United Way
• Ontario Early Years Centre–Perth Middlesex / Perth Care for Kids
• Canadian Mental Health
• Government of Ontario Information Centre

Responsibilities of the Community Advisory Group:

Organizations will have differing levels of interest and participation in the Community Advisory Group.Two membership levels have been created: core advisors and special interest advisors.

Core advisors undertake to:

• Attend meetings on a regular basis;
• Provide information for the database, either by providing an existing data base, creating a new database or facilitating acquisition of a database;
• Assist PCIN technical staff with transfer of their database;
• Provide advice on the development and content of the database;
• Assume responsibility for a key sections of the database, ensuring comprehensive information is obtained and inputted into the database;
• Where applicable, keep their own information updated as well as that for their area of responsibility;
• Respect the confidentiality of the information providers and information being posted;
• Comply with Inform Canada data base parameters;
• Report to their own organizations on a regular basis.

Special Interest Advisors may:

• Attend meetings when they have an issue of concern or interest and place that issue on the table;
• Receive minutes of meetings;
• Provide input on the data base;
• Undertake to collect information in a particular sector (e.g. health, schools, churches, museums, recreation, etc.)

* InformCanada is the national organization of public, nonprofit and government Information and Referral services and practitioners. See http://www.informcanada.ca for more information.