Transcript Grand Lac Presentation

211: Advancing the provincial consolidated system
The Taxonomy Project
Towards a pan Canadian bilingual Taxonomy
of Human Services
Report on the initial phase of the Taxonomy initiative, funded
by the Ontario Trillium Foundation and Citizenship and
Immigration Canada through 211Ontario
Deb Woods, Project Manager [email protected]
Clive Jones, English Language Editor,
[email protected]
What is the AIRS/INFO LINE Taxonomy
of Human Services?
Taxonomy: "In a human service context, a taxonomy
is a classification system that allows you to index
and access community resources based on the
services they provide and the target populations
they serve, if any. It provides a structure for your
information and it tells people what is in your
information system and how to find it." (from 211 LA
County web site www.211taxonomy.org )
Why this Taxonomy?
• InformCanada task force 2003-04 surveyed 152 I&R
practitioners
• 80% of respondents are willing to adopt a new classification
system if it is pan Canadian and bilingual
• Reviewed various classification systems in use, including
intensive comparison between the Taxonomy and the
InformOntario Thesaurus
• Recommended using the AIRS/INFO LINE Taxonomy of
Human Services as the basis for a pan Canadian, bilingual
Taxonomy
• An essential building block for a coordinated 211 system
across the country and a professional standard for all I&R
providers
Builds on existing use
• Calgary and Edmonton have used and
contributed to the Taxonomy for several years
• Montreal has adapted parts of the Taxonomy
for their use
• Community Care Access Centres in Ontario
have used a version for their databases
Overview of the AIRS/INFO LINE Taxonomy
of Human Services
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www.211taxonomy.org
Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS)
and United Way of America endorse this Taxonomy
211 standard in the U.S.
INFO LINE of Los Angeles owns and operates
Same editor for 24 years, Georgia Sales
Growth through collaboration but single editorial
process
Constant feedback from users (Taxonomy listserv)
Benefits of the AIRS/INFO LINE Taxonomy
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ISO compliant
Firm architecture but flexible development
Detailed definitions for precise searching
8300 terms help bridge the gaps between service
sectors, encouraging collaboration
• Hierarchical structure facilitates easy comparison of
referral statistics
• Existing Canadian users, input
• Support and training available
What Canadian Experts are Saying about the
211 Taxonomy
"Awesome breadth and depth and a rigorous methodology,“ Deane Zeeman,
Lead, Catalytic Initiative, Library and Archives Canada
"The taxonomy is a well-structured and rich controlled vocabulary for human
services,“ Dr. Ali Shiri, School of Library and Information Studies, University of
Alberta
"The most complete, almost encyclopedic taxonomy I've encountered covering
a subject domain. It shows how a well developed taxonomy can enable
learning and guide searchers to unforeseen, yet highly relevant topics,“
Linda Farmer, MLS, Information Consultant, Second Knowledge Solutions
“.. I do believe that the taxonomy would enhance open access to government
as navigating through it is very intuitive and straight forward,“ Andrew
Lefrancq, Metadata Analyst, Ministry of Government Services, Government of
Ontario
11 Taxonomy Categories at Level 1
• Basic Needs
• Consumer Services
• Criminal Justice &
Legal Services
• Education
• Environmental Quality
• Health Care
• Income Support &
Employment
• Individual & Family Life
• Mental Health Care &
Counselling
• Organizational/Community/International
• Target Groups
5 Levels of the Taxonomy
Code B Basic Needs (1st level)
Code BH Housing/Shelter (2nd level)
Code BH-180 Emergency Shelter (3rd level)
Code BH-180.850 Homeless Shelter (4th level)
Code BH-180.850-10 Bad Weather Shelters
(5th level)
Emergency Food (BD-180)
Term Emergency Food
Code BD-180
Definition Programs that provide a limited amount of food for individuals or families during
times of personal crisis, or for people who have no food or cannot afford to purchase food
at retail costs.
Created 3/10/92
Changed 11/3/03
Use References Food Aid Programs, Food Assistance, Food Distribution Programs
See Also References Christmas Baskets (TF-300.150-12), Emergency Food Clearinghouses
(BD-185), Federal Food ESF (TH-150.180-23), Federal Mass Care ESF (TH-150.18050), Food Collection Volunteer Opportunities (PX-240.200), Food Sorting/Packing
Volunteer Opportunities (PX-240.230), Post Disaster Food Services (TH-260.645),Soup
Kitchens (BD-0.830),Thanksgiving Baskets (TF-300.850-85)
External Classification Terms Food Distribution (NPC K03.02), Food Banks & Pantries
(NTE K31)
Related Concepts Emergency Services
Customization of Taxonomy
• All Taxonomy users customize the Taxonomy to their own
local needs by deactivating some terms (which can be
reactivated later)
• Canadian “Starter” Taxonomy experience showed:
– 65% of terms required no change
– 30% required Canadian definition or spelling adjustments but
same term was used
– 5% are terms unique to Canada
• Subscribers to Canadian version will use many shared terms
with US but Canadian definition will appear first, include
terms unique to Canada, omit US only terms
211 Ontario: 2005 Project Deliverables
 Agreement between InformCanada & 211 LA
County (aka INFO LINE)
 “Starter” Taxonomy in English
 Scoping and contacts established for French
version
 Business plan, contacts and proposals developed
for funding overall initiative
 Technical platform in Community Information
Online Consortium software (CIOC)
1. Agreement between InformCanada and
211 LA County
• 3 members of InformCanada Board as Negotiating Team
• Pro bono support from McCarthy Tétrault, Montréal
• Will recognize ownership/copyright//long term investment by
211 LA County in the Taxonomy
• InformCanada will sub license from LA, administer
subscription process for Canadian users, share subscription
revenues, help promote and market in Canada
• Will recognize Canadian investment, enable on-going use in
unlikely event LA no longer provides Taxonomy service
2. Complete “Starter Taxonomy” in English
• Goal to create a practical and usable English
version of the Taxonomy that has been completely
filtered through a Canadian lens
• Editorial Committee (most of the 211Ontario
Information Resources Working Group), led by
English language Editor, Clive Jones, in consultation
with US Taxonomy Editor, Georgia Sales, generated
draft terms
• National Review Group provided oversight and more
geographic insight
• Conferred by listserv and teleconference
2. Complete “Starter Taxonomy” in English
cont’d.
• All 8300 Taxonomy terms analyzed in 7 step
process, minus “see also” connections
• Reviewed InformOntario Thesaurus terms,
particularly those used by the three 211 call centres
• Full Thesaurus/Taxonomy crosswalk guide by mid
February
• Approximately 7000 “starter” terms, most of which
were added directly at www.211taxonomy.org ,
some of which need further programming before
being added
3. Scoping and Contacts Established for the
French Version
• Francophones on the Editorial, National Review
Groups, and Advisory Group
• French work is a top priority of remaining initiative
• Search for potential French language Editor,
members of Editorial Group underway
• French language Editor position description, FAQ
available in French
4. Develop business plan, contacts,
proposals for funding overall initiative
• Scope of Work document was reviewed by many
informants, Advisory Group, InformCanada Board,
used in proposals for further funding
• Implementation issues for 211Ontario have been
discussed but timing dependent on funding
• Business plan by end February that can be adapted
to other proposals
• Federal, Ontario government contacts,
presentations and demos
5. Develop Technical Platform in CIOC
• Community Information Online Consortium software
(database management in 211 Ontario)
• Programmer Kate Lambacher completed first two
steps: business requirements, high level design
document with costs
• CIOC Working Group gave input
• Ready to program interface when activities resume
with additional funding
Next steps
• 2-3 years further development and national
implementation
• Estimate $1.8 million, mostly for local support
• Estimate $80,000/year for maintenance
• Before conversion:
– Complete English and French starter versions
– Interface in CIOC & findhelp software complete
– Becomes a national standard (Accreditation, licensing for
211)
– Training completed shortly before conversions start
Training and Support
• Funding proposals include English and
French version training and support
– Analyze training needs, develop & document
training
– Support regional Taxonomy trainers & workshops
– Create online assistance, listserv
– Create help desk during business hours for 6-9
months intensive implementation
Maintenance
• InformCanada will be the official “custodian and
steward” for the Canadian Taxonomy
• A full-time bilingual or a part-time English and part-time
French editor will work directly with the Canadian
Editorial Group(s) and 211 LA County
• This work will be supported by subscription revenues
and revenue from special contracts
• Note that the current 211 LA County subscription is
$500 USD for 5 years
• Eventual goal of 211 LA County is to create endowment
and put Taxonomy into public domain
What to do until the Taxonomist Arrives
• Familiarize yourself with the Taxonomy
(www.211taxonomy.org where you can register to evaluate
the entire structure)
• If not using CIOC, review material on how to create a
Taxonomy interface in your software in Resources section
(“Criteria for Full Installation”)
• Review Taxonomy Project documents at www.211.ca
(Ontario)
• If you collaborate with other data partners, begin to discuss
timing of conversion
• Discuss impact of Taxonomy on your publications, web sites
Conversion can be Fun
• Meet new people (Taxonomy trainers will be a great
bunch)
• Clean up those messy corners of your database
you’ve been meaning to get to
• Take comfort knowing that you’re on the leading
edge of enhanced standards for 211 and I&R in
Canada; 4 out of 4 Canadian experts believe the
Taxonomy is
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“awesome”
“encyclopedic”
“intuitive and straight forward”
“a rich controlled vocabulary”
Thank You
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