How can a resource list be made effectively?
This is a list designed for people creating resource lists for their own communities as a way to collect the information that matters most.
Inaccurate resource lists can contribute to learned helplessness, so it's important to make your resource list as effective as possible.
If you are part of a student or grassroots group, making a great list is as simple as:
-contacting the service yourself to make sure you don't have a wrong contact information
-asking for more details, or writing down additional details you already have.
The type of information to gather can be summed up in the Effective Resource List Criteria. Most of the items on this list that were created by a fellow advocate some years ago in a youth homelessness advocacy group.
The full list is pretty long. If you're short on time, this Abridged Criteria prioritizes the most important information that people need to know.
Effective Resource List Abridged Criteria
Program Type
Program Name
City/Location
Accessibility
Contact and back-up contact
Eligibility requirements
Waitlist time
Date the information was last updated
Depending on the type of service you are adding to your resource list, not all these items will be applicable.
1. Program Type
What type of program is it? Food Delivery? Short-Term Housing?
2. Program Name
3. Provider
If the organization is really small, it may be the same name. Large organizations also known as providers often have multiple different programs.
4. City/Location
Include all relevant addresses. It is important to differentiate which addresses provide which services- a business office that hosts appointments with case managers may be different from the location the services are provided.
5. Hours of operation.
It’s important to differentiate between the hours the services are open and the hours the office is open. For smaller organizations this may be the same.
6. A detailed description of what the services are and who provides them
This is relevant when the services offered are a little different than the basic program type definition. Saying who the services are offered by is relevant when the services are provided by community partners. This helps anticipate how much support will be or is available, as partner-based services may not be available depending on independent waiting lists, contracts, or legal issues.
7. Eligibility requirements
These are the requirements people must meet in order to be accepted into the program. Requirements might based on a situation, type of insurance, or sobriety.
8. Cost to participant and/or insurance accepted
There's lots of times services aren't free- make sure people know that up front.
9. Requirements to stay enrolled
These are the requirements people must meet to not get kicked out of the program.
10. Waiting list
This would indicate if there is a waiting list, and the waiting list length time based on the longest amount of time a person will wait before entering the program. If the waiting list's wait time is dependent on individual circumstances, then add a statement that explains who priority enrollment goes to.
11. What the intake process is.
Different programs have different intake processes.
12. Contact information for the intake coordinator.
13. Contact information for at least one other staff member.
This is important when contact information changes, employee turnover, and sick leave/vacation time.
14. Funding source
This is relevant for people who are already in other programs, so they know which additional services they can receive without encountering double billing issues.
15. Contact for filing a grievance.
This information is listed in the program’s intake paperwork. Most people-including program employees- don't know this fine print.
16. Accessibility
Accessibility includes wheelchair accessibility, languages spoken, and proximity to public transportation routes, and if there are measures to reduce risk of contagious illness.
17. Special Circumstances
The outbreak risk measures for the pandemic was an example of a special circumstance. There will be other special circumstances in the future where people will need information related to that circumstance.
18. Date the information was last updated.
A large amount of information on resource lists is outdated. Having a date can let people expect how many resources will still be relevant. For resourcing organizations, it’s important to update regularly- 211's can frequently provide outdated and disconnected numbers. 211 may depend on organizations to contact them to update information even though this is an unrealistic expectation.
Here is the complete list without the description if you'd like to copy and paste:
Effective Resource List Full Criteria
Program Type
Program Name
Provider
City/Location
Hours of operation
What the service is, in addition to a detailed description of what the services offered are, and who they are provided by.
Eligibility requirements
Cost to participant and/or insurance accepted
Requirements to stay enrolled
Waiting list and priority enrollment
What the Intake process is
Contact information for the intake coordinator
Contact information for at least one other staff member
Funding source
Contact for filing a grievance
Accessibility
Special circumstances
Date the information was last updated
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