March 2016

We’ve been busy making lots of improvements and changes to the Portal, detailed below.

If you see a request like this when you visit the Portal, it's because we have implemented Geolocation services. If you don't share your location, a second Geo service makes a guess at the state you're in based on your computer's IP addess. This allows us to make state-specific changes to, for now, our "Get Help" message on the top right of all pages except the Home page. (See the next article for details on what we're doing with the Get Help link in Utah.)

We think this new feature could be very useful for our state partners, and ultimately, Portal visitors. So when you're asked "would you like to share your location with the Portal?" - we hope you will.

When a Portal visitor is likely from Utah (based on their browser or internet service provider location), the "Get Help" message/link in the top right of all pages - except the Home page - now changes to read "Get More Help in Utah" and links to the Get Help in Utah page about getting help using the site, finding services and coordinating care.

The telephone number, 1 (844) 863-0311, and email address, integrated.services@utah.gov, on the “Get Help in Utah” page will connect individuals with staff of the Integrated Services Program at the Utah Department of Health’s Bureau of Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) during regular business hours.

By calling or emailing, families can get help with care coordination, finding community resources, or finding content on the Medical Home Portal website. Medical home care coordinators, primary care clinicians, and parent partners can call when they need help with challenging situations affecting families. Families and medical homes in other states are encouraged to contact their state Family-to-Family Health Information Center or Title V Program for more help in accessing local resources and care coordination services.

A new How To Use the Medical Home Portal Video Series has been developed to help families and medical homes navigate the many content pages, service providers and other resources on Portal. The videos, posted on the Medical Home Portal YouTube Channel, are all less than 4 minutes long and address:

• What is the Medical Home Portal?
• How to Navigate the Medical Home Portal
• The Medical Home Portal’s Services Directory
• Other Resources in the Medical Home Portal
• The Medical Home Portal “For Parents & Families” Section
• The Medical Home Portal Diagnosis Prevalence List

Currently, Portal users (from any state) must register or sign-in to their account to create and manage custom service providers lists. We’ve added Sign-in/Logout and Account links to the top right of every Portal page, making them easier to find.

And they are still in the green footer bar, too. The Google Translate box will now stay at the top of the page when users login. We believe this will be a more intuitive experience for Portal users.

Upon logging in, users will experience several enhancements to the custom Service Provider lists.

• The link to Service Provider lists has been moved to a more central spot – in the context path on the right side of the screen.

• Service providers saved to a list are now indicated by “★ Saved”.

• Service provider records, both in the collapsed and expanded views, now show the Portal service categories they are associated with to provide more information about what that service provider does.