This policy document provides the criteria for being included in the FIND HELP database of 211Lane – FIND HELP.
It is the purpose of 211Lane – FIND HELP to provide information about a broad range of human service organizations available in Lane County. Inclusion in the database does not constitute an endorsement of, or liability for any organization. The database will contain information about service providers that enhance the quality of individual and community life. Data included in the database will be used to assist viewers of the 211Lane – FIND HELP website by connecting them to appropriate resources.
Inclusion Guidelines:
Overall inclusion emphasis will be placed on those organizations whose services are directed toward the solution of human service problems. All agencies or providers must meet licensing standards if operating in a service field where such standards are known to exist. Where licensing standards do not exist, an agency must operate in a manner consistent with the implied standards of their field of service.
Inclusion preference will be extended to those organizations:
- Whose primary mission is the provision of human/social services without regard to profit
- Whose services are available within Lane County
- Whose services are provided to the general population and not limited to their individual membership
Where there are existent central clearinghouses or resource-specific information and referral providers, e.g., child care referral agencies, these referral resources will be given inclusion and referral preference over any specific resources addressing the same need.
For-Profit Organizations are considered on an individual basis. Inclusion is based upon:
- Uniqueness of service
- Lack of comparable services through nonprofit organizations or groups
- The degree of need for the service
- Level of subsidized services available
- It will be the responsibility of the organization to provide the information listed above.
General inclusion requirements will be as follows:
- Organization must show evidence of an established service site.
- Organization must have demonstrated provision of service.
- Organization must have accessible program hours or an answering machine announcing current hours of availability.
Certain exceptions to the inclusion requirements may be made in the case of support groups or seasonal programs. Exceptions may also be made for health care and mental health providers who offer no cost, sliding scale fee, or OHP/Open Card services. Organizations may be placed on a six month Probationary Inclusion if they have not provided continuous services for the last six months.
The 211Lane Advisory Board reserves the right to list any group/ agency/ professional which it believes provides a valuable service to the Lane County, Oregon community even though that entity may not meet the inclusionary/ exclusionary guidelines.
Exclusion Guidelines:
Trade associations of any type will be excluded. Individual practitioners will be excluded with the exception of heads of governments, such as mayors or governors, and health care providers serving the low-income population as noted previously. 211Lane reserves the right to exclude any agency at the discretion of the 211Lane I&R Data Manager, for example: organizations under pending litigation.
Organizations will be excluded under the following circumstances:
- For-profit businesses that do not otherwise fit the above stated inclusion guidelines
- Private practitioners that do not otherwise fit the above stated inclusion guidelines
- Organization denies service to any inquirer on the basis of prejudice
- Organization purposefully misrepresents its mission or engages in illegal fundraising or operating practices
- Organization fails to respond to update requests
- Organization has an unresolved, documented complaint on file with 211Lane
- Organization proselytizes as condition for service
- Organizations providing services solely to their membership
- Organizations providing free or low cost services whose primary purpose is to market their main for-profit business
Inclusion Procedure:
To be included in the database, the following procedures will be followed:
- Organizations will complete the Application Form (one form for each service to be listed) and attach additional information as applicable.
- Prior to acceptance, completed Agency/ Service Inclusion Forms will be reviewed by the 211Lane Advisory Board for accuracy and completeness.
- Following review and acceptance the organization and services will be added to the FIND HELP database.
- Some information from the Agency/ Service Inclusion Form may be altered slightly to conform to the 211Lane - FIND HELP style guidelines
- Members of the 211Lane Advisory Board may solicit organizations to be added to the database or organizations may request consideration for inclusion.
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This Inclusion/Exclusion Policy shall be reviewed annually by the 211Lane Advisory Board to ensure that it continues to meet the changing needs of the community.
Organizations listed in 211Lane - FIND HELP database will be reviewed annually by the 211Lane Advisory Board to ensure that they meet the established inclusion criteria.
211Lane - FIND HELP accepts no liability for the incorrect usage of the data by its subscribers. It will, however, make every effort to train users and provide technical assistance whenever necessary.
