Aunt Bertha Helps Us Find Social Service Programs
August 15, 2013
We all know that Google Search is a wonderful tool, especially those of us old enough to remember trekking to the (physical) library to research any little thing. It is not, however, especially good at directing one to government or charitable services. One consultant with a programming background decided to pick up the slack with a tailored search service, we learn from Fast Company‘s piece, “Fixing Google Search’s Social Services Gap.”
Creator Erine Gray was working as a consultant for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission when he was frustrated by existing search engines’ deficiencies in this area. Writer Stan Alcorn explains his approach to the innovative solution:
“Where Aunt Bertha looks more revolutionary–and where it actually makes money–is in its promises for the social service providers themselves. For those that pay to receive applications through Aunt Bertha, search results go straight to an online form that saves the basic, repeated information–80% of most forms, according to Gray–for future use.
“This means less work for the applicant. Bringing up a housing program called the Children’s Home Initiative, Gray says, ‘If I apply to this program in January and then maybe a health insurance program in March, it’s going to remember how I answered that question.’ It also has the potential to provide charities with information they’ve never had about what social services people are asking for and where.”
Upon landing on the comparatively uncluttered site, I am greeted by Aunt Bertha’s friendly visage. I enter my zip code in the prominent box, then proceed to a well-designed page that sports user-friendly, color-coded categories like “food” and “education.” Under each of these icons is displayed the number of programs in that category (that the site knows of) in my zip code. My city seems to have a lot of healthcare and education resources, for example, but is low on food, housing, and legal help. Hmm.
The clean design continues on the results page, where I can easily see what each program provides and whom it is designed for. On tabs for each service, I find details about it as well as (if available) a link to the program’s website. And, of course, if the provider has contracted with Bertha, I can submit an application right there. Handy!
I would highly recommend this site to anyone researching social service options. The only caveat will, I hope, soon be overcome: Aunt Bertha is still in beta, and so far has only attracted a few customers (that is, service providers themselves.) She could also use some more folks to go by and tell her about programs in their areas, especially in rural locations and smaller cities.
I hope readers will spread the word, and programs receive a slew of requests to join. If the site takes off, Aunt Bertha could make life that much easier for millions of Americans.
Cynthia Murrell, August 15, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
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