Locales

The Taxonomy is an international classification system with three different locales:  the U.S. English locale which includes terms and definitions that are appropriate for subscribers in the United States, and two locales that have been configured for use in Canada, one in English, the other in French.

The majority of terms in the Taxonomy represent services that are offered in both countries under the same conditions and thus have identical data elements in the two English language locales. There are, however, spelling differences that must be accounted for, occasional differences in what services are called in the two countries with resultant variations in term names and use references, and differences in the way services are managed or delivered which may lead to variations in definitions.  When differences occur, the Canadian English version of the term is modified creating two variants of the same record. U.S. subscribers see the U.S. English version and Canadian subscribers, the Canadian English one.

There are also a number of individual services that are only available in one country or the other; and large service systems like the courts and public assistance programs which vary enough that different sets of terms are required in the U.S. and Canadian locales for adequate representation.

The Canadian French locale is a French language version of the Canadian English locale and references Canadian English term names and definitions. U.S. only terms and U.S. term names and definitions whose Canadian English equivalents have been modified have no French equivalents. While every term in the Canadian English version has an equivalent in the French version, the French content was not generated simply by translation but developed through a thorough research process in compliance with the ISO Guidelines for the Establishment and Development of Multilingual Thesauri which reflects cultural, linguistic and semantic differences.

The choice of locale is particularly important in the Search function because only terms active within the locale are retrieved and displayed. To change the view of the Taxonomy that is being displayed, simply click on “change” next to “Viewing” beneath the Log in/Log out button at the top of the page and select the locale you wish to see.  Once marked, the original choice persists until changed. Printed Taxonomy reports and XML files are also locale-specific, but depend on the locale in which they were run, not the locale setting on the website.

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Thank you for your interest in obtaining or renewing your 211 HSIS taxonomy subscription

211 LA is preparing to launch delivery of the 211 Human Services Indexing System (HSIS) (formerly the 211 LA Taxonomy) via an API. The API will enable licensed vendors and licensed users to receive real time updates to the HSIS taxonomy. As part of the transition to delivery via API, the current process of providing an XML download will be retired in January 2024. 211 LA is working with its licensed vendors to enable integration of the API within their applications. We are targeting to have our licensed vendor transition completed by January 2024.

The 211 HSIS website is also being updated. The updates will continue to support the existing filtering functionality and “how-to” guides you enjoy today as well as additional features including enhanced search functionality.

Below is a table summarizing the new subscription tiers related to the Website and HSIS taxonomy:

Below is a table describing some common user situations and highlights the considerations for and impact on your organization with respect to desired functionality and 211 HSIS access.

SituationWhat it means for my organization
Current Subscriber who uses a licensed vendor or does not need to download the XML file
  • You will can renew your subscription at the subscription rates shown above:
  • Your subscription will enable continued use of the HSIS taxonomy through your licensed vendor but you will not be able to download the HSIS taxonomy via XML or PDF as that functionality will be discontinued
  • Once the new Website is available there will be a new online agreement we will ask subscribers to acknowledge
New Subscriber who uses a licensed vendor or does not need to download the XML file
  • You can establish your new subscription at the subscription rates shown above:
  • Your subscription will enable use of the HSIS taxonomy through your licensed vendor but you will not be able to download the taxonomy via XML or PDF as that functionality will be discontinued
  • Once the new Website is available there will be a new online agreement we will ask subscribers to acknowledge
Current or New Subscriber who need access to the HSIS taxonomy and do not/will not use a licensed vendor
  • You will need to become a licensed user to enable access to the HSIS taxonomy API
  • You will need to sign an HSIS taxonomy agreement
  • You will need to integrate your application with the HSIS taxonomy API

  • If you would like access to the HSIS taxonomy sandbox to assist in your development activities, please send your request to the email below to initiate the process to complete a sandbox agreement and provide access to the developer tools:
    211HSISAPITransition@211la.org
  • As a licensed user, you will have full access to the Website functionality including access to the APIs
  • If your organization is a 211, Area Agency on Aging (AAA) or a Crisis Line, please reach out to 211 LA at the above email and we can work together on the path to becoming a Licensed User including access to the Sandbox and Production API.

Check out our FAQ on Subscriber API Activity here.

If you have any questions regarding the HSIS taxonomy API and the ongoing transition, please send an email to:

211HSISAPITransition@211la.org

We will continue to provide updates and information regarding the HSIS taxonomy as the transition plans and materials are finalized.

Thank you for your continued support and use of the HSIS taxonomy within the I&R community!!

The 211 HSIS Team