SecondChanceResources's Library provides an easy way to access the useful links to those on probation, parole, their families and caseworkers. Using a familiar theme of a books, those who aren't comfortable or are intimidated by computers can easily navigate through this 'library' of over 50 websites. In an easy to read format, webpages are posted as links and categorized by topic.
Navigation is easy. There is three ways to get to your target topic. You can expand the menu on the left side of the page using the "hamburger" button, then selecting the 'book' you would like to view. Alternatively, from the homepage (the "Bookshelf"), you can click the right arrow to open to the Table of Contents. This page lists all topic areas, and you simply need to click the topic you'd like to view, and the "book" will flip open to that page. Once on a topic page, you can use both left and right arrows to navigate between the topics with ease.
Footers on every page provide links to give feedback or contact us, in case the user has any websites they would like featured on the page as a link.
The Addiction & Recovery chapter includes tools to help get and stay clean, including links to SAMHSA tools, treatment locators, mutual aid groups, and even what to expect when starting rehab.
The Living Resources chapter contains ways to find help through the United Way for utilities and food, the SAMHSA Resource library and other guides specifically for felons and families of.
The Mental Health chapter provides links to therapy locators, the suicide prevention hotline and guided meditation videos, among others.
The Housing Resources chapter lists many options and organizations to help find housing, from homeless shelters to finding felon-friendly rentals.
The Legal Resources chapter serves to provide users with information about their rights, how to access free legal assistance, and even the laws on the books for every state in the USA.
The Employment chapter has lists of companies that hire felons, information on veterans training and benefits, small business loans and even templates of resumes and cover letters.
The Healthcare chapter's links make finding health insurance and a local clinic an easy process as well as providing information on Medicaid and the United Way's Health Resources.
You will notice there are several links related to Registered (sex) Offenders. This comes from my own involvement with the Registered Offenders community and the knowledge that there are only a few resources out there for this underserved, yet ever-growing demographic, many of whom has struggled themselves with drug and opioid addictions.
This website was created for this competition, however, it will be continued to be maintained regardless of placing or winning. In the upcoming months, SecondChanceResources Library will include embedded maps to find local resources, such as day labor or temp agencies, food banks, homeless shelters and more. Embedded maps will also allow Registered Offenders and their families identify homes that fit within their communities residency restrictions, to find homes that are away from school, churches and parks.
TESTING
Functionality: Test all outgoing and local links.
Usability: Test navigation through side menu, page arrows and Table of Contents links.
Browser Compatibility: (browserling.com is great for this) Test on Internet Explorer 8 & 9 Test on Chrome 43+ Firefox 33+
I am an individual submitter and my phone number is 717-991-1864
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