NOTE: for Power User keyword search instructions, please see the "Power User Keyword Search Tips" help topic.

Using the Keyword search engine is easy. Either type a word or phrase into the "Enter Keyword(s)" text box, or select a word or phrase from the list of Suggested Keywords. Note that as you type text into the "Enter Keyword(s)" text box, the list of Suggested Keywords will position itself to the closest match to what you are typing.

If you click on one of the Suggested Keywords, that item will replace whatever you've typed in the "Enter Keyword(s)" text box. It's important to note that the search engine will use the contents of the "Enter Keyword(s)" text box for the search.

The search engine will try to locate services that have exact matches for ALL the words in the "Enter Keyword(s)" text box. For example, if "legal assistance" is in the "Enter Keyword(s)" text box, the search results list will include all services that contain both "legal" AND "assistance" - or forms of those words.

Here are some ways to be successful with your Keyword search:

Multiple words

• Use several keywords to make your meaning clear -- type in home health care instead of care
• Be as specific as possible -- use medical transportation instead of transportation
• Use synonyms and vary spelling -- older adult, senior citizen, elderly

Word variations (stemming)

Examples: If you use the keyword child you will also receive results with the word children. If you use the phrase hearing impair you will also receive results with the words hearing impaired, hearing impairment and hearing impairments.

Alternative phrase

If you are using a phrase like prenatal services for your keyword and you receive zero results, try using an alternative phrase like prenatal care or prenatal program.

Related words or phrases

If you use one word like prenatal and you receive zero results or a small number of results, try using related words instead - for example, pregnancy, pregnant, baby, birth or newborn.

Spelling variations

You may have chosen a compound word as your keyword that could be spelled in different ways. For example, child care or childcare. Words with prefixes also vary in the way they are spelled. For example, non-profit could be spelled with a hyphen (non-profit) or without a hyphen (non profit), or without a space (nonprofit). Try variations in spelling like these when entering keywords.

Synonyms

In some cases we may be able to suggest other keywords to use in addition to the keyword you entered. Usually these suggested keywords will produce the best search results. These suggestions will appear at the top of the search results list, with the reference "Did you mean?". Clicking on a suggested keyword will re-start the keyword search based on the suggested keyword you selected.

Another Option

If you don't know what keywords to use to find the services you're looking for, try using the Topic Search option. Click on the "Search By Topics" tab near the top of the page to use this method.