A new online directory for residents of Chilliwack and points east will help everyone navigate the complex world of community services.
The Pathways team and the Chilliwack Division of Family Practice partnered with Fraser Health and local organizations to roll out the new community services directory for Chilliwack and Fraser Health Rural.
The directory went live on Feb. 16 to serve Chilliwack and Fraser Health Rural, which includes communities east of Chilliwack, such as Seabird Island, as well as Agassiz, Hope, and Spuzzum, up to Boston Bar.
How will organizers know if the Pathways initiative is a success?
“We’ll know when Pathways becomes the trusted, go-to directory for services,” said Paula Reguly, project manager of Chilliwack Division of Family Practice.
The poster promises one thing: “Making it easy to access community resources in your area.”
A ton of information has been consolidated into the website with state-of-the-art search and filter options.
In this region, the new initiative will continue where Info Chilliwack left off with even more search sophistication.
“Pathways is going to be taking its place. This is going to be the new place to go online for that info,” Reguly said.
Info Chilliwack was a similar directory of health and social service programs, hosted and maintained by the Chilliwack Social Research and Planning Council for 15 years.
It was retired, and the transition to Pathways has been underway since last summer.
Judy Hamel, Pathways local administrator, said they want it to be the very best community service directory possible, and are encouraging people to let them know if anything is missing or needs correction once they get a look at it, by email to community-services@pathwaysbc.ca.
They are building it, expanding the resource, while continuing to partner with the Chilliwack Social Research and Planning Council, Chilliwack Healthier Community network and more.
“What people might find surprising is the sheer amount of all these types of information, services and, resources they will find at Pathways all in one place, and how easy it is to find what they are looking for,” Hamel said.
At the top of the home page are the big categories to click on which makes it easy to dive in.
At the side highlighted in blue are some featured services and a list of possible related websites to check.
Look for the ‘Ways to Access’ icons indicating if the service is available at single or multiple sites, or if there is support for example offered by phone or text.
There is a ‘Show details’ button to drill down even further with service description and contact info.
Right at the very bottom, right hand side is the handy ‘Contact us’ button.
Interestingly Pathways was developed initially for in the medical profession, an online website created by family doctors and staff to share key info among professionals about specialists, referrals, community services and patient resources. But because of community collaboration between the project partners, Pathways is now being shared with the public as a response to COVID-19, to provide info about accessing family doctors virtually, connecting to virtual care clinics, and downloadable resources on various topics.
Search topics including:
• Addictions
• Indigenous health and services
• LGBT2Q+
• Maternity care
• Mental health
• Seniors
• Wellness support
