Update on the GIS Mapping National Server Project
The Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET) received a Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) from LSC in 2005 to implement a nationally-hosting mapping system that would enable LSC-funded programs to easily create maps without having to be expert at GIS mapping software. LAET has partnered with NTAP to manage and implement this grant.

In this project, the University of Tennessee Geography Department, under the direction of Dr. Bruce Ralston, is (1) inputting all of the LSC-funded programs' service areas into software that can convert that into space boundaries for mapping program data, (2) inputting U.S. Census data variables from which maps will be drawn, (3) developing prototype sites which will be used by programs to upload their case management data and then generate specific maps.

Ultimately, when they are done, each legal aid program will be able to generate "Top 10" maps about poverty in their service area AND upload their case management data to a national server to generate maps specific to your statistics. NTAP will offer training on how to upload the data and use the system. We've taken a look at other similar projects Dr. Ralston has completed and it is exciting and user-friendly. The timeline for his completion is early Fall 2006.

For more information on this project, please take a look at the Prototype Site: http://tnatlas.geog.utk.edu/lasc.htm, and download the Step-By-Step Guide. See also GIS Training on How to Map with the National Server.

Interested in Learning More? Join the LStech email list. Updates to the project will be posted there and on this site. Also, you can contact Kathleen Brockel (kathleen@lsntap.org) .

The three PowerPoint slides attached below simply shows how it would potentially work to upload case management data using GoogleEarth. This is a project that the University of Tennessee is working on currently as part of the project for the GIS National Server.