Statewide Provider Database

Statewide Provider Database Frequently Asked Questions for SPD Users

Access Questions

Does my password have to be regularly updated? No. SPD passwords do not expire. However, when you obtain your password you must change it within 30 days of receiving it, because the initial temporary password given to you will expire if you don’t log in and choose a permanent password.

What if I forget my password? Call the DCFS Help Desk at (800) 610-2089 to have your password reset.

How can someone get access to the database? We exchange information for access. If a new provider or agency would like to have access to the database, we ask them to tell us about their particular programs as well as any other agencies with whom they link. This allows the database to continually grow. If you are unsure of whether your agency/program already has provided resource information, you can contact SPD staff at the numbers listed in the brochure. More often than not, training is also required before someone is granted access to the database. We find that this facilitates a better experience for the user after they have access to the database.

Search Questions

Can I search more than one program type at a time? If you would like to search more than one program type at a time, it is best to search using the “All” program type. If not, you would have to search each program type in which you are interested separately.

How do I select more than one service from the list? Hold the “ctrl” key as you click on the desired multiple services.

How do I search for multiple target populations at a time? Hold the “ctrl” key as you click on the desired target populations. Please note that this search function allows you to search for multiple target populations at one time, but does NOT signify that all the target populations you selected are served in one program.

I didn’t find any programs when I did my search. What should I do now? There are a few things to do in this situation. First, you can use fewer search criteria. As with any search, more criteria tend to yield fewer results. So initially you should reset all of the criteria you selected to “All” and search using only a zipcode. Then you will be able to see what agencies offer programs in the area in which you are interested. Also, we recommend either searching by program type OR service types. If you use both, you may experience a coding error if the services selected don’t “match” the program type selected. If neither of these tactics improves your search results, try expanding the radius of the search to a greater number of miles

Last Updated 12/12/12 away from your desired service area. Additionally, an external site is attached to SPD, SPD Info. This site is filled with a variety of directories to help supplement your search of SPD. SPD Info can be found by going to https://spdinfo-publicworkspace.pbworks.com/SPD-Info. This is a public site and is not password protected.

Why aren’t all Substance Abuse providers in SPD? There is a resource in existence through the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Administration that has a comprehensive listing of all Substance Abuse providers nationwide. This resource can be found at http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/TreatmentLocator/faces/quickSearch.jspx

I know of a program that isn’t in the SPD. How do I go about having that program added? If you know of a program which you think would be appropriate to be added to the SPD, feel free to contact us (or have the service provider contact us) at 312-814-4144.

What if I find that information on a particular program isn’t up to date? If you find information that is out of date, please give us a call at 312-814-4144 and alert us to the inaccuracy and/or correction. Then we will follow up with the provider to update the information.

What is the purpose of the agency search? The agency search allows you to get a snapshot of the agency as a whole, the agency report. It lists information about the various locations where the agency offers programs. These programs are ‘clickable’, so you can actually reach a particular program’s detailed program report from the agency report as well.

What is the purpose of the keyword search? The keyword search is useful for finding information about programs with characteristics that can’t be searched in the Manual Search Report, such as particular Evidence Based Practices, other languages, or services not listed in the Service List.

Why are the DPRs for Non-Clinical programs so much shorter than the DPRs for other programs? We ask fewer questions of this program type, so we streamlined their DPRs. We didn’t want users to have to search for pertinent information which could be presented more clearly.

I printed out the DPR, but all of the fields are blank. At the top of the DPR you’ll notice a field called “Interview Completed”. If this field is not checked, that means we listed the program but have not yet conducted a detailed interview of the programs offerings. So, the fields on the DPR are blank because we haven’t asked those questions yet.

I’m looking for a fatherhood program for a teenage young man, but there’s no special population for young fathers. How can I find those programs? Though there is no specific special population for teen fathers, you can still find programs that target them by searching for programs with a target population of “teen parents” and indicate that the client is male. Though this may yield programs that serve both teen mothers and fathers, it will eliminate any programs that only serve teen mothers.

Last Updated 12/12/12 Other Questions

Are these services limited to DCFS clients? No. Though many of the services listed in the database serve DCFS clients, the majority of the programs in SPD are open to the community. Specific eligibility criteria are listed on the program’s DPR.

How is the database updated? Staff members on the SPD project make calls to service providers every six months (on a rotating basis) to update their information. Some providers also call us to update their information when important changes take place. We welcome this sort of proactive updating process.

Does the SPD affect the referral process? No, the SPD is only an informational tool. It does not change any referral protocols currently in place. Please continue to follow the protocol you have been using.

Last Updated 12/12/12