HelpLink uses a taxonomy of human services developed to provide standardized terminology and definitions in the field of human services. This taxonomy is the international standard and assures that the definitions of the services are the same whether in Portland, Maine or Portland, Oregon. All the services provided by the non-profit health and human services and government services in our database are coded using this taxonomy. The taxonomy is also used to describe the needs of the callers.

The taxonomy contains more than 3,400 preferred human service terms that are organized into 10 major service categories. These basic service categories are arranged from the most fundamental types of service required by individuals (Basic Needs) through the most general services provided for the community at-large (Organizational/Community Services). These two categories account for 80% of all the needs expressed by HelpLink callers during 1997.

The Basic Needs category includes “programs that furnish survival level resources including food, housing, material goods, transportation and temporary financial assistance for low and fixed income, indigent, elderly or disabled people who are otherwise unable to adequately provide for themselves and their families. Also included are related services that are available to the community at large.” (e.g. bus services).

The Organizational/Community Services category includes “programs that provide any of a broad spectrum of services for the community as a whole including opportunities for individuals or groups to participate in community improvement or service projects, to have a voice in the political process, to have access to information services, or to benefit from the availability of a variety of services for residents, travelers, newcomers, community agencies, organizations, businesses and industry.”¹

The following shows key data from 1997. If you would like more details about the data or about the taxonomy, please call Nancy Glidden at (937) 225-3000 or 1-800-91-REACH.

¹A Taxonomy of Human Services: A Conceptual Framework with Standardized Terminology and Definitions for the Field, second edition, Information and Referral Federation of Los Angeles County, Inc., El Monte, California, 1983,1987,1991.

Areas of Need	# of Requests for Help
	1997	1996	1995
1. Basic Needs	28,973	22,626	21,864
2. Organizational/Comm. Services*	9,934	13,235	14,016
3. Health Care	3,340	3,022	2,693
4. Mental Health	1,606	1,986	1,943
5. Income Security	1,200	1,393	1,230
6. Individual & Family Life	1,434	1,288	1,060
7. Criminal Justice/Legal Service	955	791	813
8. Consumer Services	568	587	588
9. Education	391	356	293
10. Environmental Quality	189	193	175
TOTAL	48,590	45,477	44,675

*This includes specialized information & referral services (such as the Self-help Clearinhouse and Child Care Clearinghouse).