Search Page

The search page has four tabs which allow you to run different types of searches depending on your preference and the information available. You can also filter results so that you only see the ones in a specified area. The search tool on the site you are viewing may vary slightly in style from what is pictured below, but the function is the same. Please read on for detailed instructions.

Location Filter

At the top of each tab, you will see a window similar to the one below.

You can use this filter by entering a postal code in the “Enter ZIP Code” field (for example, 50010 for Ames, IA). The “Select Distance” field has options of 20, 50 or 100 miles, as well as a Statewide option. You will have the option to sort results by the distance they are from the ZIP Code that you specify. Click on the Clear button in the lower right-hand corner to reset the fields at any time.

Keyword Search

The keyword search allows you to search against the database using specific words (i.e., “child care”), which are matched against characteristics of the listed programs in order to determine a match.

Once you have entered some keywords, press the Keyword Search button to see the results page.

Quick Search

The Quick Search tab allows you to search the database using a dropdown of services categories.

Programs may be associated with more than one category, and you will receive a broader set of results with this search.

Category Search

The Category Search tab allows you to browse through categories describing the services offered by specific programs.

This is different from the Quick Search tab in that these categories allow you to drill down to more specific subjects. To get results for a specific category, click on the category name then click on the plus (+) sign next to a category name to display the categories nested under it. The number in parentheses behind the category name is an estimate of the number of results you might retrieve from clicking on that category. Click on the question mark behind a category name to display the definition for that category.

Organization/Program Search

The Organization/Program Search tab allows you to search for specific program names.

Results

Search Information

The Search Information bar displays information related to the items performed during the search. For example, if you used the Quick Search tab, and chose the Services value of “Advocacy Groups,” the Search Type and Search Value that you see on the Results page will be “Quick Search” and “Advocacy Groups,” respectively.

In the example above, someone ran a search for the keywords “area aea,” and used the location filter to set a target area of 50 miles around the zip code 50010. To create a new search, click the “Start Over” link on the left. To print the page, click on the “Print Page” link. If you want to sort your results, you can do so by Name (sorts the Program Name, see the next section for more information) or by City. If you used the location filter, you will also have the option to sort by Distance from the starting point specified.

Search Result

Below is an example of a search result.

The Organization Name is at the top of the result in dark gray, followed by the Program Name in gray which is the field targeted with the “Sort by Name” link on the top right of the page. Contact information is available in the box on the right side of the result. At the very top right, you will see an “Exclude” button – if you click that button, the result will be reduced to just the Organization Name and Program Name, and will not show up on the printout. Clicking the button again reveals the information. The “Find out more about the organization...” link will take you to a page with more information about the Organization at that particular location, which will include other programs offered there.