Search Instructions

Developed by Iowa COMPASS
Last updated: July 21, 2010

Video tutorials of the Iowa COMPASS website are also available: http://www.iowacompass.org/tutorials

Jump to section:
Choosing a Type of Search:
Keyword Search
Program Name Search
Category Search

Search Instructions:
Keyword Search
Program Name Search
Category Search
Assistive Technology/Home Modification Funding Searches

Search Results Features:
List Results
Full Record Details
Print Preview
Full Record Details: Program Information
Keyword Explanation

Choosing a Type of Search:

There are three different ways to search the P2 Database. The most appropriate type of search engine for you depends on: a) what you are looking for b) how much you already know about the topic and c) how familiar you are with the keywords used in the P2 Database.

Keyword Search

Reasons to use this search:

• You are familiar with the keywords that are used in the P2 Database.
• You would like to combine two keywords together to either refine or broaden your search (combining keywords is recommended when performing a search for assistive technology/medical equipment funding).

Reasons NOT to use this search:

• You're not sure what you're looking for.
• You are not familiar with the keywords currently used in the P2 Database.
• You would characterize yourself as a beginner computer user.

For instructions on how to use the Keyword Search, click here.

Program Name Search

Reasons to use this search:

• You know the name or part of the name of the program or organization for which you are searching.

Reasons NOT to use this search:

• The search is limited to what you already know. You could be missing other programs or organizations that offer the same service as the program you already know about by using this search.

For instructions on how to use the Program Name Search, click here.

Category Search

Reasons to use this search:

• You know the type of service for which you are searching, but not what it's called.
• You want to see all the different types of services that are contained under a category heading (the other searches only let you search on the specific services under the category heading).
• You want to become more familiar with the types of search terms available in the P2 Database.

Reasons NOT to use this search:

• You can search only one category of service at a time, meaning you cannot combine search terms to broaden or narrow your results. On the other hand, the Keyword Search allows you to search for services from multiple categories at the same time by searching with two keywords.
• You're not sure where in the list of categories to look for the type of service you want.

For instructions on how to use the Category Search, click here.

Search Instructions

Keyword Search

Step 1: Type in what you’re looking for

Q: What should I type into the text box?
A: The name of the service you are looking for (example: home repair).

TIPS:

Be specific (but not too specific) when entering words into the Keyword Search.

Have you noticed that when you search using any web-based search engine (such as Google or Bing), the more words you enter, the fewer your results? The Keyword Search also functions in this way. The more words you enter into the Keyword Search, the fewer results you will get. If you enter too many words in the Keyword Search, you may not get any results at all. On the other hand, if you enter only one word that is too broad, there will be many results, which will make it harder to find what you’re looking for. The key is to find the appropriate level of specificity – not too specific and not too broad. Do not enter full sentences into the Keyword Search, but also avoid entering a very general word.

For example, the P2 Database contains only information that is disability-related, so it will not be useful to type in a very general keyword like “disability.” It would be better to be more specific. For example, if you are looking for in-home nursing services, you should try entering “home nursing.” When you become more familiar with the Keyword Search, you can enter the specific name of the keyword you know is used in the P2 Database.

Note: If you’re not sure what you are looking for, call Iowa COMPASS (1-800-779-2001) so that an Information Specialist can perform the search for you.

Tip: Do not include punctuation in your search.

It is recommended that you avoid using any punctuation when entering information into the Keyword Search. The system cannot search the names of the keywords properly when punctuation is included in the text box. If you would like to search for a service whose name includes punctuation, add an extra space where the punctuation mark would have been.

For example, you should NOT enter "in-home nursing" (with a hyphen punctuation mark included). Instead you should try entering "in home nursing" (without a hyphen).

Watch out for plural nouns or alternate endings.

It’s generally a good practice to use only a portion of the word when the word has more than one potential ending.

In the example used before, you were looking for in-home nursing services, so you typed “in home nursing.” An even better search would be to enter “in home nurs.” This way, your results will include keywords with any of the following variations: “home nurse, home nurses, home nursing.”

Use caution when entering acronyms in the Keyword Search.

When you enter something into the text box of the Keyword Search and press the Search button, the system will search the database using any part of the word you entered. The system will search for exactly the letters that you have entered. For example, if you want to find Centers for Independent Living, you may think you should enter the acronym “CIL” to complete your search quickly. However, instead of getting a short, usable list of results, the results will include every keyword that has the letters “CIL” in the keyword name, including “Adult Residential Treatment Facilities” and “Assisted Living Facilities.” It would be better if you simply entered “Centers for Independent Living” or “Independent Living” to find what you’re looking for.

On the other hand, entering some acronyms in the text box of the Keyword Search can produce a short, usable list of results. For example, entering “SSDI” in the text box will produce a relatively short list of keyword results because there are not many keyword names with the letters “SSDI” within their name.

In short, be cautious when entering acronyms in the Keyword Search – you may not find what you’re looking for. In many cases, it is better to perform a Program Name Search rather than a Keyword Search when using the organization’s acronym.

Keep in mind that there can be more than one way to say the same thing.

Try using different wording to get what you are looking for.

The following are examples of different words to say approximately the same thing:

Example 1: financial assistance, financing, subsidies, funding, funds, aid, grants, loans, camperships, scholarships, purchase assistance, payment assistance, expense assistance, assistance, vouchers

Example 2: automobiles vs. vehicles

Example 3: children, kids, youth, boys, girls

Text Boxes

Q: Why are there two text boxes in the Keyword Search?
A: There are two text boxes in the Keyword Search to allow you to search for multiple keywords. This can be useful when trying to use multiple keywords to either broaden or narrow your search. It’s recommended that you limit your search to one topic at a time (at least until you become more familiar with the Keyword Search). Enter only one idea into the text box, using Text Box #1 (as shown in the image below). When you become more familiar with P2, you may begin searching for multiple keywords by entering one idea into Text Box #1 and entering a different idea into Text Box #2. Entering text into both Text Boxes #1 and #2 will allow you to search for organizations that have both keywords attached (recommended for assistive technology/home modification funding searches).

Keep well-known phrases together in the Text Box you are using.

For example, the following phrases should be written in the same text box because the two words “go together”:

1. Assistive Technology
2. In Home
3. Social Security

DO NOT enter two words that typically "go together" in separate text boxes (see the image below for an example of what NOT to do).

Q: How do I search for multiple keywords?
A: Searching for multiple keywords is a way to either broaden or narrow your search. When you become more familiar with P2, you may begin searching for multiple keywords by entering one idea into Text Box #1 and entering a different idea into Text Box #2.

Entering text into both Text Boxes #1 and #2 will allow you to search for organizations that have both keywords attached (recommended for assistive technology/home modification funding searches) or any of the keywords attached.

For example, if you would like to search for job placement assistance for a veteran with a disability, you would enter “Veteran” in Text Box #1 and “Job” in Text Box #2.

Step 2: Check keywords & enter search criteria

a) Select a keyword or keywords:

The list of keywords will appear in the left-hand corner of the screen. To select a keyword, click on the small checkbox next to the keyword’s name. To see the keyword’s definition, click on the keyword name. In the image below, the keyword, Registered Home Nursing is selected. When performing a search using two keywords, you will need to choose whether you want to see results that match “ALL checked keywords” or "AT LEAST ONE of the checked keywords" (these options are located under the heading “Results match”).

“ALL checked keywords” means that the results will display only the programs that have all of the checked keywords attached to them (this will narrow your search significantly).

"AT LEAST ONE of the checked keywords" means that the results will display all programs with any of the checked keywords attached to them (this is a broader search).

Searching for multiple keywords:
In the “veteran” example mentioned previously, you entered “Veteran” in Text Box #1 and “Job” in Text Box #2 and pressed the Search button. On the next screen, you could select the keywords, “Veterans” and “Job Search/Placement.” Then you would choose “ALL checked keywords” under the heading “Results match” because you want your results to include only organizations that provide job search and placement assistance and whose services are intended for veterans with disabilities (there will be fewer results, but they will be targeted to your needs). If you were to choose “AT LEAST ONE of the checked keywords” under the heading “Results match,” your results would include organizations that either are intended for veterans with disabilities or provide job search and placement assistance (there will be many results, but they are unlikely to be what you wanted to find).

Note: For more information about the keywords used in the P2 Database, see the "Keyword Explanation" section.

b) Narrow search (optional)

Enter the zip code, county and/or age of the person receiving services.

Note: If you enter a zip code, your results will be listed in order by distance from the zip code entered. If you enter both a zip code and select a county, P2 will search using only the zip code entered. Therefore, it is unnecessary for you to enter both a zip code and to select a county.

c) Press the search button

Step 3: Review the results

The results of your search will display the name, location (if applicable), phone number (if applicable), web site (if one is available) and the counties served of organizations that provide the service(s) for which you searched. For more details about the organization, click on the organization’s name. To open the organization’s website in a new window, click on “Website.”

For a more detailed explanation of the Universal Search Results Features (such as the different views and Print Preview function), click here.

Program Name Search

Step 1: Enter the Program Name

Type the name or part of the name of the organization for which you are searching in the "Program Name" text box.

Tip: Do not include punctuation in your search.

It is recommended that you avoid using any punctuation when entering information into the Program Name Search. The system cannot search the program names properly when punctuation is included in the text box. If you would like to search for an organization whose name includes punctuation, add an extra space where the punctuation mark would have been.

For example, you should NOT enter "In-Home Nursing Services of Iowa" (with a hyphen punctuation mark included). Instead you should try entering "In Home Nursing Services of Iowa" (without a hyphen included).

Step 2: Narrow search (optional)

Enter the zip code, county and/or age of the person receiving services.

Note: If you enter a zip code, your results will be listed in order by distance from the zip code entered. If you enter both a zip code and select a county, P2 will search using only the zip code entered. Therefore, it is unnecessary for you to enter both a zip code and to select a county.

Step 3: Press the search button

Step 4: Review the results

The results of your search will display the name, location (if applicable), phone number (if applicable), web site (if one is available) and the counties served of organizations that provide the service(s) for which you searched. For more details about the organization, click on the organization’s name. To open the organization’s website in a new window, click on “Website.”

For a more detailed explanation of the Universal Search Results Features (such as the different views and Print Preview function), click here.

Note: If you are not able to find the organization for which you’ve searched, try Step 1 again. Try entering an alternative spelling, former name or acronym of the organization. It is possible that the organization is listed differently than you expected.

Category Search

Step 1: Find a service

Click on the + to expand the list of categories. (The categories are types of services.) The further you expand the list, the more specific the services become. When you find a term that does not have a + in front of it, you cannot expand the list any further.

Step 2: Select a service

Once you've found the service you want, select it by clicking on the service name.

Step 3: Narrow search (optional)

Enter the zip code, county and/or age of the person receiving services.

Note: If you enter a zip code, your results will be listed in order by distance from the zip code entered. If you enter both a zip code and select a county, P2 will search using only the zip code entered. Therefore, it is unnecessary for you to enter both a zip code and to select a county.

Step 4: Press the search button

Step 5: Review the results

The results of your search will display the name, location (if applicable), phone number (if applicable), web site (if one is available) and the counties served of organizations that provide the service(s) for which you searched. For more details about the organization, click on the organization’s name. To open the organization’s website in a new window, click on “Website.” For more details about the organization, click on the organization's name.

For a more detailed explanation of the Search Results Features, click here.

Note: For more information about the keywords/categories used in the P2 Database, see the "Keyword Explanation" section.

Assistive Technology/Home Modification Funding Searches

If you would like to search the P2 Database for assistive technology/medical equipment funding, you will need to perform a Keyword Search using two keywords.

Step 1: Enter keywords

In Text Field #1 (labeled in the image below), enter the words “Assistive Technology Equipment Expense Assistance.”

In Text Field #2, (labeled in the image below) you will enter the keyword of the type of assistive technology needed by the individual. In the image below, Daily Living Aids is the equipment category for which funding is required.

Press the search button.

Q: How do I know what to call the type of assistive technology needed?
A: Iowa COMPASS has placed types of assistive technology into categories, as shown in the table below. Find the keyword that corresponds to the type of assistive technology for which funding is needed. Enter this keyword into Text Field #2 and press the search button.

Step 2: Check keywords & enter search criteria

a) Select keywords:

The list of keywords will appear in the left-hand corner of the screen. To select a keyword, click on the small checkbox next to the keyword’s name. To see the keyword’s definition, click on the keyword name.

To search for programs that provide funding for assistive technology, click on the checkbox next to the keyword, “Assistive Technology Equipment Expense Assistance” and the keyword for the type of assistive technology needed (this will be the keyword that you entered in Text Field #2 in Step 1). In the example below, Daily Living Aids is the equipment category for which funding is required.

Make sure to select "ALL checked keywords" under the heading "Results match." The results will display only the programs that fund the type of assistive technology selected (in the example above, the results will display all programs that fund items in the Daily Living Aids category).

b) Narrow search (optional)

Enter the zip code, county and/or age of the person receiving services

Note: If you enter a zip code, your results will be listed in order by distance from the zip code entered. If you enter both a zip code and select a county, P2 will search using only the zip code entered. Therefore, it is unnecessary for you to enter both a zip code and to select a county.

c) Press the search button

Step 5: Review the results

The results of your search will display the name, location (if applicable), phone number (if applicable), web site (if one is available) and the counties served of organizations that provide the service(s) for which you searched. For more details about the organization, click on the organization’s name. To open the organization’s website in a new window, click on “Website.”

For a more detailed explanation of the Search Results Features, click here.

Note: For more information about the keywords/categories used in the P2 Database, see the "Keyword Explanation" section.

Search Results Features

List Results

This is the initial list of results. It shows basic information such as the organization’s name, city and state, phone numbers, website and service area.

To view more information about an organization, click on its program name and the full record details(described below) will appear.

To access the website of an organization from this page, click on “Website,” located in the same row as the organization in which you’re interested. The program’s website will open in a new window.

Full Record Details

This view shows detailed information about an organization, such as its address, hours of service, description of services, ages served, eligibility, application/appeals process, fees and more. Read through this information to determine if the organization would be useful to you. For further explanation of the elements of the full record details, click here.

Print Preview

This is a printer-friendly version of the initial list results or the full record details. To produce the printer-friendly version of your search results, click on “Print Preview,” which will be visible on the right-hand side of the screen, near the top. The printer-friendly version will appear in a pop-up window.

Both the list results and full record details print previews include a header and footer to identify the source of the information and the date on which it was printed.

To print, go to “File” and choose “Print.”

Full Record Details: Program Information

Each program record contains some or all of the following information. Below are descriptions of each of the possible fields.

Keyword Explanation

In the P2 Database, the Browse by Subject, Keyword Search and Category Search all use keywords to search the database for information. The keywords used in the P2 Database are technically called “taxonomy.” The particular taxonomy used in the P2 Database is called the AIRS/211 LA County Taxonomy of Human Services. The Taxonomy is a hierarchical classification system for health and human services, used by information and referral organizations throughout the U.S. and parts of Canada. Every taxonomy term has an assigned code that shows where it is placed within the hierarchical system. For example, the code for the taxonomy term, “Registered Home Nursing” is “LT-2800.3100-700,” which means that the term is located under the following branch:

L Health Care

LT Specialized Treatment

LT-2800 Home Health Care

LT-2800.3100 Home Nursing

LT-2800.3100-700 Registered Home Nursing

This taxonomy is copyrighted as the AIRS/211 LA County Taxonomy of Human Services (http://www.211taxonomy.org).