About iSafetyNet

The National SafetyNet

Prior to the creation (1993) of the World Wide Web,  locating and accessing public and private benefits and assistance programs was a harrowing experience. The programs were numerous and the consumer was required to physically visit the agencies and fill out lengthy, redundant, ink and paper applications.

Over the past decade, health and human service agencies have  embraced the Web as the point of entry for their consumer-friendly, 'one-stop-shop'  style of services, outreach and delivery.  The National SafetyNet has quietly and efficiently migrated to the Internet with many health and human services web sites being added every day.

The problem now is locating the web site that offers the assistance, support or information that the customer needs.  The Web provides access to a staggering amount information.  It is not unusual for Google or Yahoo to return millions of search results on some common words such as 'cancer'.  That is why we created a web site completely dedicated to cataloging America's On-Line Social SafetyNet. 

The Search Engine Dilemma

Ever wonder how search engine services select and order your search results?  First they rank each site in their listing based on confidential, unpublished criteria.  Many search engine services require a real person to review the site and rank it before adding it to their listing. This can take several months or  years. 

Many search engine services allow companies to pay for a top ranking spot in their listing.  Companies often hire search engine experts to ensure a top ranking by search engine services. Unfortunately, the first few pages of search results may list the sites that are willing to spend the most money and not the sites that are most helpful.

The Portsmouth Group

The Portsmouth Group, Inc. (PGI) grew out of a fifteen-year tradition of developing innovative and practical solutions to the problems faced by older persons, children and families with low-incomes and persons with disabilities.   We harness the power of new technologies to create better ways for organizations to assist  those in need locate the services  they need to be healthy, self-sufficient and independent.  

PGI was previously a division of United Seniors Health Cooperative (USHC) of Washington, DC, which has merged with the National Council on Aging (NCOA).   In the mid-1990's, the software division separated from the rest of USHC in order to resolve the growing pains of a rapidly growing software division. 

The staff of PGI were the first to develop software for screening families and children for community resources, the first to develop a touch-screen eligibility service and the first to place an eligibility screening service on the Internet.  They also developed BOSS Versions 3.0, 4.0 & 5.0, BOSS Express (Touch-screen), BOSS 7.5 (Windows), the Community Services Gateway (CSG) and CROSSCHECK.

The President and CEO of PGI is George Andrew Rose.  Mr. Rose is a pioneer in developing software and Internet services for community-based health and human service organizations.  He works to ensure that the benefits of basic computer and telecommunications technologies are affordable and available to all, regardless of geographical location, race, income or special needs.

Prior to founding PGI, Mr. Rose successfully designed and implemented software demonstration projects in several states that were funded by private foundations and public agencies. The demonstration projects served as models for many current health and human services online systems.