There are existing healthcare resources for people experiencing homelessness in King County, but the systems in place are fractured and difficult to navigate. How might we make it easier for underserved communities in Seattle to access healthcare?
Solution
We developed an app that works as a database and navigation system to guide our user through finding healthcare that is right for them. It allows them to search based on their needs and make appointments. It also provides text reminders of appointments and stores their medical history.
Check out some of my PROCESS
XClose
our user
I created three main personas based on research, drawing heavily from Count Us In 2020, an annual report on King County homelessness statistics. The most common self-reported health conditions include psychiatric or emotional conditions, PTSD, substance abuse, chronic health problems, and physical disability. Research shows that there is a significant need for mental health counseling and preventative care for people experiencing homelessness.
Customer journey map
Barriers
People experiencing homelessness face many barriers to accessing adequate healthcare. Compass is focused on identifying and removing those barriers.
Advertising
Compass' advertising strategy targets places that are most frequented by people experiencing homelessness including the light rail, buses and bus stops, libraries, and shelters. Advertisements include a QR code to download the app. Compass is all about guiding and connecting real people to healthcare, so it's important to feature realistic, friendly photography.
THe app
The easy-to-use interface simplifies what is normally a stressful process, while a robust filter system lets people search by their unique needs, and notifications or text reminders increase the likelihood of follow through. For people who don't own phones, tablets displaying the app are strategically placed around the city — in libraries, at clinics, food banks, and shelters. These are adjustable so people of any mobility can use them.
Mobile Supply Vans
Mobile supply vans bring water, harm prevention kits, nonperishable food, and first aid kits to local encampments. During these visits, advocates spread awareness about Compass and help with onboarding.
Advocates
Our advocates are a point of contact for our users and have resources and training to handle a variety of situations. They are stationed wherever the kiosks are located in order to help users navigate the system, assist with medical paperwork and onboard new users. Once users are in the system they will no longer need to fill out any paperwork.
