The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services on Friday, Jan. 26, launched PA Navigate, an online tool to connect Pennsylvanians with community-based organizations, county and state agencies and health care providers.

The site will provide referrals to community resources that help people meet basic needs like food, shelter, transportation and more. PA Navigate also allows individuals to refer themselves for services and facilitates greater connection and communication between health care providers and organizations that serve shared populations.

PA Navigate bridges these systems through a shared platform where health care providers and social services organizations can track client referrals and better understand and assist with a client’s needs, helping access services and supports.

The system will also allow health care and service providers to assess a person’s needs during a physician’s office or emergency department visit, when receiving case management services or when seeking assistance from a community-based organization, among others.