Community
Resources Information, Inc
Community
Resources Information, Inc. (CRI) is a non-profit, tax exempt
501 c (3) charitable organization whose principal mission is
to develop and maintain community-based Internet web sites which
provide comprehensive information on community resources relevant
to the needs of low and moderate income families and individuals
of all ages. The web sites developed by community resources
information inc. are intended to serve as a central repository
of information on community resources and benefit programs.
Our intent is to make the process of finding out about and obtaining
community resources information much easier and more coherent
than is now the case for residents of most communities. By using
our websites consumers public benefits and community services
will be able to find out more information, which benefit programs
stand to qualify and what they will have to do in order to receive
the benefits.
Features of our community resources
information web sites
For each benefit or program that is
described on the web site, we cover the following: 1)
what the benefit/program entails; 2) eligibility criteria; 3)
practical information on how and where to apply; 4) benefit levels
/ availability; and 4) consumer rights and responsibilities.
The content is being written in English and will eventually be
translated into Spanish as well. Information on the web site
is routinely updated to stay current with changes in programs
and benefits as well as their availability.
Our community resources information web sites has three
important technological features:
- Application forms for benefit programs that can be downloaded
and printed out.
- Eligibility checks for various benefit programs (e.g., food
stamps, TAFDC, Section 8 housing). This feature enables
a user to enter information that is relevant to determining
eligibility for a particular benefit. The eligibility check
evaluates the information provided and makes an unofficial determination,
either indicating the individual/family appears to be eligible
(and providing the benefit amount) or stating the person does
not appear eligible and listing the reason(s) why.
- A "comments/feedback interface" allows users to give us feedback
on ways to improve the web site. This feature will also
be used to ask individuals to share their knowledge in applying
for benefits and their experience with community programs so
that other, would-be, consumers might learn from this information.
Feedback will be organized and edited as needed and then posted
on the web site.
A prototype community resources information
website
A prototype community resources information web site
is currently being developed for Worcester, Massachusetts (www.WorcesterResources.org),
the third largest city in New England. In the near future, Community
Resources Information, Inc. expects to develop similar web sites
in other communities across the country. Each community
resources information web site will be tailored to a specific
community and will provide in-depth coverage of a variety of
resources available in that community. Community Resources Information,
Inc. expects the first users to adopt such a web site within
a community to be service providers, followed by the consumers
of the benefits, programs, and services described on the web
site, once issues of accessibility have been addressed. |
