Smart Start

CST499
Blaze King

 
 Table of Contents

Introduction 3

Goals 5

Objectives 5

Environmental Scan/Literature Review 6

Stakeholders and Community 8

Approach and Methodology 9

Ethical Considerations 11

Legal Considerations 12

Project Scope 13
Timeline 13
Resources Needed 13
Milestones 14
Risks and Dependencies 14

Final Deliverables 14

Usability Testing/Evaluation 15

Team Members 17

References 18

 
Introduction

Lake County, found in the northern wine country of California, contains only ~0.2% of

the entire population of the state. This small and rural community has a long history of issues

with poverty, crime, and drug abuse. According to the United States Census Bureau, household

median income is nearly 40% lower and the poverty rate over 50% higher than the state average.

Compared with the neighboring Napa and Sonoma counties, the financial gap is even wider.

These inequalities contribute to a wide range of issues, including systemic abuse of both

prescribed and illegal narcotics, and a lower percentage of population with access to technology

and Internet resources. While publicly funded programs exist to support and eliminate these

gaps, connecting those in need with the available resources is a challenge.

For this project I will be continuing work with First 5 Lake County, which began during

the CSUMB 361S Service Learning course. During the Service Learning course, I began creating

an electronic “service directory” for First 5 Lake County and local partners. The service

directory created for that course is a rough presentation of the final product to be completed

during this capstone course. The final product will act as an electronic “2-1-1 for Parenting and

Childcare”, labeled as Smart Start, where parents and grandparents with children ages 0-5 can

learn about available services and details on how to access. Besides the front-end website, the

back-end database will support generating user access reports, and a full administrative portal to

modify and create entries. In addition, in order to browse through services separated by

categories, the web application will feature a search engine to return relevant results based on

keyword. The web application will be designed with a simple and intuitive layout, so that anyone

 
accessing can quickly locate and act upon relevant information. All web application content will

be available in both English and Spanish, accessed by switching languages by clicking a button

on the website header.

The idea for this project originated because there is no central electronic repository for

information about these services. Printed copies of “important fingertip facts” and other

non-profit program information has been created by most agencies in the county, and many also

have a distinct website or Facebook Group. Sign-up, enrollment, and program requirements are

listed on some of these websites, but not all are equally represented. Some of the existing

websites link to others that provide similar or supplemental services, but there is no

customer-centric view of all available or possible services.

This project is unique in the environment of Lake County for several reasons. There is no

paper or electronic location where this information can be found. This web application is a joint

effort, started by First 5 Lake County, but not wholly owned by any single group. Non-profit

websites have not been created in a way that is easy to browse on small mobile phone screens,

meaning most access to program information is only available on desktop versions or print

media. Since desktop ownership and usage in the demographics targeted by these services is very

low, printed materials are realistically the only current method to distribute and receive program

information.

The First 5 Lake County task force was created specifically to address this issue, and is

made up of members of several agencies. First 5 Lake County leads the task force discussions.

The task force has conducted surveys of all local programs and agencies serving this

demographic regarding their satisfaction with current methods of disseminating current program

 
information and providing referrals. The request for a single mobile accessible application

available in both English and Spanish was the primary requested solution to the issues

documented by the task force focus group.

Goals

● End user can select category and specific sub-category to filter available services

● End user can access service information, link to external website, map to service location,

phone number, and social media presence of agency providing service

● End user can perform a keyword search to find relevant services

● Site admin has full access to add, modify, or delete records

● Site admin can access pre-configured reports that show user access reports

● Web application is presented in attractive and simple layout for all screen sizes

Objectives

● Create a site map to ensure simple and intuitive user experience. Discuss with task force

director and make any applicable changes prior to implementing (​9/1/19​)

● Contact all included agencies and programs to ensure that all contact information, and

services provided are up to date. (​9/6/19​)

● Create a keyword database in order to link searched words with services. (​9/13/19​)

 
 ● Create program to generate database queries that display in a comprehensive report, and

create link in the admin section to engage the function and cross train admin on use.

(​9/20/19​)

● Make adjustments to layout and design based upon user preferences and feedback from

the First Five task force. (​9/30/19​)

● Meet with all site admin and users to cross train and establish log in procedures and

effective maintenance in final hand off of the site. (​10/1/19​)

Environmental Scan/Literature Review

This project encompasses several elements from applications that already exist but have

never been organized in such a comprehensive way to serve the needs of Lake County families.

Part of this application will result in a hybrid search engine to locate resources. It is difficult to

think of successful search engines without thinking of Google. According to Search Engine

Journal, Google comprises “over 75%” of the search market share. Google has revolutionized the

way that we access needed information by following its mission statement, “to organize the

world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” Google’s user base is much

larger, we are trying to narrow down the search results to apply to a small demographic in a rural

area of the population. We are also including services that could not be easily accessed by a

simple Google search. Currently, you would need to know where to look or have an in-person

contact.

 
 Within our community are service organizations that attempt to provide resources for a

similar demographic within the community. Redwood Community Services is one such

organization, located in adjacent Ukiah, California and serving the needs of Lake and Mendocino

counties. Redwood Community Services makes regular referrals to local agencies and are well

informed about what services exist for various populations in need. This organization currently

provides a single page PDF directory of local providers. This is challenging to search or query

electronically for relevant results, and can not be displayed easily on a mobile phone. It is not an

interactive option linking users with tailored search results according to their needs. It also is not

a comprehensive list of all the services available.

The Lake County resource “Bloom”, previously known as the Lake County Hero

Project, combines efforts from local agencies in order to inspire families and caregivers to

engage in positive behaviors to prepare their children ages 0-5 for a lifetime of learning.

Previously, the program had a mobile website intended to engage local families. At peak, over

25% of the local population of parents within the community had engaged with the mobile

application. This demonstrates that our target audience is indeed interested in engaging with their

community resources via mobile devices. However, as with all other local agencies surveyed,

the resources provided were not entirely comprehensive, and mostly consisted of a page of links

to various agency’s websites. As the Hero Project lost key funding sources, it focused the goals

and objectives to become “Bloom” and abandoned its mobile interfacing.

Finally, the local Facebook page for Mother-Wise Lake County is an agency dedicated to

helping new mothers and families in need. The group largely connects families with resources

in-person. The Facebook page consists of 1,100 families, significant for the population and rural

 
community. The Facebook page is a great resource for families, but there is no accessible archive

for previous resource recommendations. It is essentially used as a message board. This page

demonstrates the value of reaching our population via mobile devices.

This project will build upon and expand these program’s successes in order to better

serve the needs of the community. The application will better reach the total population of Lake

County families, not only those who use in person services. Services will provided instantly to

anyone with a mobile device and internet access safely, anonymously and tailored to their needs.

Stakeholders and Community

The primary end user of this web application is a Lake County resident with children or

grandchildren ages 0-5. Lake County has no shortage of areas for development. This

demographic has a higher than average percentage of low-income and families at the poverty

level. Improving access to health care, the percentage of adults with bachelor degrees, and

decreasing the rate of people who smoke cigarettes are all possible projects or objectives to strive

for within the community. A small (3-5 user) focus group will be created for this effort, with

membership suggestions provided by the non-profit programs that provide services within the

county.

The primary client of this project is First 5 Lake County. First 5’s overarching objective

is to improve the lives of families with children ages 0-5. Together with other partner agencies

and government funded programs, First 5 Lake County helps to either run or fund dozens of

programs and services. As stated in their Mission Statement, “First 5 Lake will promote healthy,

 
safe, happy and family-centered experiences for children 0-5 through partnerships with local

families and service providers.” The word “partnership” is the powerful connection to purpose.

In order to achieve their objectives, First 5 Lake County must build and maintain those

partnerships. These partnerships allowed an individual agency to become more successful in

their own objectives by aligning with those of another agency. This capstone project is intending

to help the end user experience the benefits of the program partnerships.

This application will allow relevant information to instantly become more easily

accessible to a wider population of Lake County residents and it will allow greater collaboration

among agencies in establishing referrals and ensuring that they are updated. Most importantly,

this application is needed because it more adequately empowers the targeted demographic to

advocate for their own health and wellbeing without needing to rely on others to supply the

information needed to obtain services.

Approach and Methodology

There are several steps I have already completed within the framework of my previous

class (CSUMB CST361S Service Learning). When I began that project, I held regular meetings

with the First 5 Coordinator and task force in order to clarify their goals and brainstorm the best

approach to solve their issues together. After many conversations, we came to the conclusion that

this project should be completed in two phases. The first phase was completing a simple web

based mobile database in order to compile the information and allow it to be accessible to mobile

 
users. The second phase requires a significantly larger investment of time and resources in order

to meet all of our goals, making it a perfect candidate for my capstone project.

Embarking upon this second phase, I will continue researching intuitive site map layouts

from other applications in order to make the process of finding the correct content for the end

user as simple and natural as possible. I will conduct review sessions with the task force and a

panel of end users, making revisions according to their feedback. This feedback will also be vital

in my approach to the design, layout and organization of the site. In this case, the design of the

site is equally vital to its smooth functionality in accomplishing the goal of enticing users to use

the site and keeping them engaged with as few “clicks” as possible.

I will be incorporating examples of all levels, from small office directories to large

corporate search engines in informing my creation of the backend system. The database will

store a large amount of information, and will also need to be connected thoughtfully so the

queries can be run against them logically and intuitively. I will be working diligently with my

partners in the task force to ensure that the process of keeping the databases maintained and

operating smoothly is simple and effective.

I anticipate that the most challenging part of my work ahead is creating a functional

keyword search that results in capturing the user’s thoughts and generating the appropriate data

for them. The development of this complex process has been studied, researched, and fine tuned

for decades by the brightest minds of and endless list of companies like Google, Microsoft, and

Apple, and is ever continuing and improving. I am realistic in understanding that my final

product will not improve upon their work. However, their efforts will inform mine and make it

possible. I will also have the added benefit of knowing my audience and awareness that the

 
relatively narrow information set that I am working with is applicable to my target user directly.

I am confident that by remaining open minded and closely connected with the task force

throughout this process, I will be able to deliver an end product that accomplishes our shared

goals and improves the lives of Lake County families and future generations.

Ethical Considerations

According to the United States Census Bureau, 90% of American adults use the Internet

regularly. The Internet can be accessed by a desktop computer at home with a broadband Internet

connection, a mobile smartphone with cellular data access, or through the use of public

computers. Levels of income and education are directly related to whether or not a family has

access to the Internet. Lower education and lower income are statistically related to lower

Internet access nationwide, independent of race, language, and location. This fact is apparent in

Lake County, where the United States Census Bureau reports as of July 2018 that 81.3% of

households in Lake County have a computer. This means that nearly four out of five adults in the

county may not be able to access the Internet, and would not have access to the resource I am

creating. While the actual specific statistic is unknown, Adults ages 18-49 are more likely to care

for children ages 0-5, and are more likely to have Internet access (U.S. Census Bureau).

However, there is still some expected percentage of adults that cannot or will not access this

Internet-based resource.

To address this problem, non-profit service providers have already created directories and

pamphlets where the intended audience can access the resources in-person at public health events

 
and the service provider main office locations. For many service providers, this was the original

means and has been the primary method of communication and enrollment for new applicants.

These printed resources will still be available alongside the new Internet-based resource being

developed. This is necessary because of the previously mentioned gap in the access to the

Internet among adults in the demographic being reached. These printed materials, along with the

new Internet resource, should be able to reach nearly every adult in the targeted demographic.

Legal Considerations

● Website code, design, and images will be created by Blaze King, unless otherwise noted

● Permission has been granted by every included service provider to display and distribute

copyrighted logos and photos for use in advertising and information sharing with proper

accreditation

● Icons made by Freepik and Designmodo from flaticon.com are licensed under CC BY 3.0

● Once complete, website will be owned and operated by the Smart Start Initiative, Lake

County

● Website will comply with WCAG 2.1 (World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content

Accessibility Guidelines)

 
Project Scope

Timeline

Resources Needed

● Computer

● Internet access

● PHP, SQL, and JavaScript IDE (Integrated Development Environment)

● Website and database Internet hosting

● Budget for hosting and domain name ($25/month)

 
 Milestones

● Phase 1 ​- Initial meeting with customer and group, gathering business requirements

● Phase 2​ - Create mockup for newly designed web application, gain consensus and

receive design approval

● Phase 3​ - Implementing approved design, develop beta version of web application

● Phase 4​ - Beta testing and focus group feedback, implementing other features (admin

reporting, keyword search ability)

● Phase 5​ - Complete final site delivered, user training

Risks and Dependencies

● Lack of participation from focus group and user testing

● Inability of developer to fix all reported issues before project is due

● Budget approval for website and database hosting

● Client approval is required for delivery, not receiving approval in a timely manner will

put the proposed deadline at risk

Final Deliverables

The final deliverable for this project is a fully functioning web application, capable of

accessing a database of services and reporting on user activity. This includes:

 
 ● Internet hosted website and database to store service providers, available services, and

user activity reports

○ Website and database each hosted on Amazon Web Services Lightsail system, or

equivalent

○ All included images free to use or distribute with proper citation, included on all

website footers

○ Administrator login to edit data and view canned reports

● Client approval is a requirement for product delivery

● Training of designated staff

Usability Testing/Evaluation

Scope:​ To perform usability testing and product evaluation, the scope must first be

determined. The scope consists of the desired goals of the site, which will be determined during

the first phase of gathering business requirements.

Purpose:​ After the scope is determined, the purpose of the goals will be identified. The

concerns, questions, and goals for the usability test will be driven by the purpose. This helps to

focus on answering the right questions.

Schedule and Location: ​Testing will take place once the site mockup is approved

during the second week, and will take place continuously until the final design begins in the fifth

 
week. There will not be a single specific location where testing occurs, each individual member

will perform testing at their own home or office.

Equipment: ​ Required devices used in testing include a smartphone with Internet access,

and a desktop or laptop. The desktop or laptop must use a screen no smaller than 15 inches in

diagonal measurement, and a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels. Operating systems for both

mobile and desktop devices will include the latest versions of Apple iOS, Google Android,

Microsoft Windows, and Apple MacOS.

Participants: ​ Usability testing will be performed by a small group of 4-5 people

designated by the Smart Start Collaborative. The participants will either self select to be a part of

the testing team, or directed to do so by the group lead.

Method: ​Because usability testing will occur over several weeks by people in different

physical locations, a uniform reporting tool will be created for reported issues and feedback. A

link to an online form will be inserted into the footer of the development website. The result of

these submissions will be emailed to the developer and automatically inserted into a public

Google Sheet. Progress on issue resolution will be updated within the Google Sheet as they are

addressed. An example of this form is shown here:

 
Team Members

Blaze King is the sole team member performing all project tasks, including gathering

business requirements, meeting with the client, developing the final product, and training staff.

 
 References

Alasmari, A., & Zhou, L. (2017, 01). The Effects of Visualization and Synchronization on

Clustered-Based Mobile Web Search. ​International Journal of Human–Computer

Interaction,​ ​33(​ 6), 431-442.

August's Featured Resource. Retrieved from www.lakebloom.org/resources/

Davies, D. (2018). The 7 Most Popular Search Engines in the World - SEO 101. Search Engine

Journal. Retrieved from

http://www.searchenginejournal.com/seo-101/meet-search-engines

Google. Retrieved from https://about.google/Redwood Community Services, Inc. Retrieved from

https://redwoodcommunityservices.org/about

U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Lake County, California. Retrieved from

https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/lakecountycalifornia