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CareConnect: User Guide

Last Updated: February 2026 Version: 1.0

Welcome

CareConnect helps you find social services in Kingston, Ontario. This guide will show you how to use the platform.

Quick Start:

  1. Go to the website
  2. Type what you need (like "food bank" or "mental health")
  3. See a list of services that can help you
  4. Call, email, or visit the service

Table of Contents

  1. Getting Started
  2. How to Search
  3. Understanding Results
  4. Using the Map
  5. Accessibility Features
  6. Language Options
  7. Offline Mode
  8. Privacy & Your Data
  9. Common Questions
  10. Get Help

Getting Started

What is CareConnect?

CareConnect is a search engine for social services. It helps you find:

  • Food banks and meal programs
  • Crisis support (mental health, suicide prevention, domestic violence)
  • Housing help (shelters, rental assistance)
  • Health services (clinics, counseling, addiction support)
  • Legal aid and immigration help
  • Employment and education programs
  • Family services (childcare, parenting support)

We have information on about 200 services in Kingston.

Who Can Use This?

Everyone. This service is free and open to the public.

You don't need to:

  • Create an account
  • Give your name
  • Share personal information

Who Made This?

This platform was created by community members who wanted to make it easier to find help in Kingston. It is not an official government website.

Step 1: Click in the search box at the top of the page.

Step 2: Type what you need. Examples:

  • "food"
  • "mental health"
  • "housing"
  • "free lawyer"

Step 3: Press Enter or click the search button.

Step 4: See your results below.

Search Tips

Use simple words:

  • ✅ Good: "food bank"
  • ❌ Too specific: "emergency food assistance program"

Try different words if you don't find what you need:

  • "job help" OR "employment"
  • "counseling" OR "therapy" OR "mental health"

Use categories:

  • Click on category buttons below the search box
  • Examples: Food, Crisis, Housing, Health

Filter by hours:

  • Check "Open Now" to see only services that are currently open

Search near you:

  • Allow location access to see services sorted by distance
  • Or type your neighborhood (like "downtown Kingston")

Crisis Searches

If you search for crisis words like "suicide" or "abuse", you will see:

  1. A red banner with emergency numbers
  2. Crisis services at the top of results
  3. Immediate help options (phone, text, chat)

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

Understanding Results

Service Cards

Each search result shows a service card with:

1. Service Name

The organization or program name.

2. Description

What the service does and who it helps.

3. Contact Information

  • 📞 Phone: Tap to call (on mobile)
  • 📧 Email: Tap to send email
  • 🌐 Website: Click to visit their site
  • 📍 Address: Get directions

4. Hours of Operation

When the service is open. Examples:

  • "Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm"
  • "24/7" (always open)
  • "Call for hours"

5. How to Access (Access Script)

Step-by-step instructions:

  • Who is this for? (eligibility)
  • What to bring (ID, documents)
  • How to get help (walk-in, call, referral needed)

6. Verification Badge

Shows how we verified this service:

  • L1 (Basic): We confirmed it exists
  • L2 (Vetted): We contacted them directly
  • L3 (Verified): Official partnership (best)

Higher levels mean more reliable information.

7. Languages

Languages the service offers (English, French, etc.).

8. Accessibility

Information about wheelchair access, parking, transit.

What If There Are No Results?

If you see "No results found," try:

  1. Use different words
  2. "food" instead of "groceries"

  3. "housing" instead of "shelter"

  4. Check your spelling

  5. Browse categories below the search box

  6. Remove filters (like "Open Now")

  7. Search for a broader topic

  8. "health" instead of "diabetes clinic"

Using the Map

View Services on a Map

Step 1: Click the "Map View" button (top right of results).

Step 2: See pins showing where each service is located.

Step 3: Click a pin to see that service's details.

Step 4: Click "Load map preview" if you want to view the embedded map.

Step 5: Click "Get Directions" to open Google Maps directly.

Note: The map preview is off by default for privacy. It only loads after you choose to view it.

Allow Location Access

To see services near you:

Step 1: Click "Use my location" or allow location when asked.

Step 2: Your browser will ask permission. Click "Allow".

Step 3: Results will now be sorted by distance from you.

Note: Your location is never saved or shared. It only works on your device.

Accessibility Features

We built this platform to work for everyone.

Keyboard Navigation

You can use this site without a mouse:

  • Tab: Move to the next button or link
  • Shift + Tab: Move back
  • Enter: Click a button or link
  • Spacebar: Check a box
  • Escape: Close a popup

Screen Readers

This site works with screen readers like:

  • JAWS
  • NVDA
  • VoiceOver (Mac/iPhone)
  • TalkBack (Android)

Screen reader tips:

  • Results are announced as you search
  • Use headings to jump between sections
  • Service cards have clear labels

Text Size

Make text bigger or smaller:

  • In your browser: Press Ctrl + (Windows) or Cmd + (Mac)
  • On mobile: Use your device's accessibility settings

High Contrast

If you have low vision:

  1. Turn on High Contrast Mode in your operating system
  2. The site will automatically adjust colors

Reduced Motion

If animations make you dizzy:

  1. Turn on Reduce Motion in your device settings
  2. The site will show less animation

Language Options

Change Language

Step 1: Look at the top-right corner of the page.

Step 2: Click the language dropdown (shows your current language).

Step 3: Select your language:

  • English
  • Français (French)
  • 中文 (Chinese)
  • العربية (Arabic)
  • Português (Portuguese)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (Punjabi)

Step 4: The entire site will switch to that language.

Service Information Languages

Some services offer help in multiple languages. You'll see this in the service card under "Languages Offered".

Offline Mode

What is Offline Mode?

The site works even without internet. This helps if you:

  • Have a slow connection
  • Are in a place with no WiFi
  • Want to save mobile data

How It Works

First visit (with internet):

  1. Visit the site
  2. The site saves service information on your device
  3. You see a message: "Ready to work offline"

Next visits (without internet):

  1. Visit the site (even offline)
  2. Search works normally
  3. You see results from saved data

Note: Offline data updates automatically when you go online. Offline surfaces also show when the saved snapshot was last refreshed and warn you if the cached copy may be outdated.

What Works Offline?

✅ Works:

  • Searching for services
  • Viewing service details
  • Reading descriptions
  • Seeing phone numbers and addresses

❌ Doesn't work:

  • Clicking website links (needs internet)
  • Getting live directions
  • Sending emails
  • Seeing real-time updates

Privacy & Your Data

We Don't Track You

What we DON'T collect:

  • Your searches (we never see what you search for)
  • Your location (stays on your device only)
  • Your personal information
  • Your browsing history
  • Your IP address (in most cases)

How search works:

  • All searches happen on your device
  • Your search never goes to our servers
  • No one can see what you searched for

Open Source

This platform is open source. That means:

  • Anyone can see the code
  • Experts can check we're telling the truth
  • You can verify we don't track you
  • Code is at: github.com/jerdaw/careconnect

Cookies

We use minimal cookies only for:

  • Remembering your language choice
  • Making the site work (technical cookies)

We never use cookies for:

  • Tracking you across sites
  • Showing you ads
  • Selling your data

Is This Service Official?

No. This is not an official City of Kingston or government website.

We are a community project. Service information is:

  • Collected from public sources
  • Verified by volunteers
  • Updated regularly
  • Provided as-is

Always verify important details (like hours or eligibility) by calling the service directly.

Common Questions

Is this free?

Yes. This platform is completely free to use. No ads, no subscription, no hidden fees.

Do I need to create an account?

No. You can search without signing up or giving any information.

How do I report wrong information?

If you find incorrect information:

  1. Email us: feedback@careconnect.ing
  2. Tell us:
  3. Which service has wrong info
  4. What is wrong
  5. What it should say (if you know)

We'll fix it quickly.

Why isn't [my service] listed?

We focus on high-impact social services in Kingston. If a service is missing:

  1. Email us: feedback@careconnect.ing
  2. Include:
  3. Service name
  4. What they do
  5. Contact information
  6. Website (if they have one)

We'll review and add it if it fits our criteria.

Can I use this on my phone?

Yes! The site works on:

  • iPhones and iPads
  • Android phones and tablets
  • Any device with a web browser

It also works offline (see Offline Mode).

Which browsers work?

Modern browsers:

  • ✅ Chrome (recommended)
  • ✅ Firefox
  • ✅ Safari
  • ✅ Edge

Older browsers:

  • ⚠️ Internet Explorer: Not supported
  • ⚠️ Browsers from before 2020: May not work fully

Is my data safe?

Yes. We don't collect your data, so there's nothing to leak or hack.

Your searches and location never leave your device.

Get Help

Having Trouble?

If the site isn't working:

  1. Try refreshing the page (press F5 or click reload)
  2. Check your internet connection
  3. Try a different browser (like Chrome or Firefox)
  4. Clear your browser cache

Contact Us

For questions or feedback:

  • Email: feedback@careconnect.ing
  • GitHub Issues: github.com/jerdaw/careconnect/issues

We usually respond within 2-3 business days.

Emergency Help

If you are in crisis:

  • Suicide/mental health crisis: Call or text 988
  • Immediate danger: Call 911
  • Distress Centre Kingston: 613-544-1771 (24/7)

Quick Tips

✅ Use simple search words ("food" not "emergency food assistance") ✅ Try different words if you don't find what you need ✅ Check verification badges (L2 and L3 are most reliable) ✅ Call services to confirm hours and eligibility ✅ Use categories if search doesn't work ✅ Turn on location to see closest services ✅ It works offline - save mobile data ✅ No account needed - completely anonymous

Accessibility Statement

We are committed to making this platform accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities.

Standards we follow:

  • WCAG 2.1 Level AA (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)

If you find an accessibility issue:

  • Email: feedback@careconnect.ing
  • We will fix it as quickly as possible

Thank you for using CareConnect!

We hope this tool helps you find the support you need.

This guide is available in multiple languages. Use the language selector at the top of the page.