Erie Path

A mobile app connecting Erie County families to mental health resources through guided, trauma-informed navigation.

CLIENT

Erie County, NY - Dept. of Mental Health

Services

Information architecture, UX design, Mobile UI design Accessibility strategy

Team

Product Designer UX Researcher

Date

June 1, 2023

Many Erie County families struggled to find youth mental health resources quickly, especially during moments of stress. They needed a simple, stigma-free way to get connected to the right services without having to know the system.

A guided entry point supports users in identifying their needs without feeling overwhelmed.

Designing with Community

• Led user research through community focus groups and surveys • Designed a logic-based decision tree using AIRS taxonomy • Built a mobile-first interface focused on trauma-informed and accessible UX • Applied inclusive language and visual design based on real-world feedback

A Path Forward

• Final design selected for development and public launch by Erie County • Community testers praised its clarity, tone, and emotional accessibility • Established scalable infrastructure for future advocacy and crisis features • Helped reframe the app from “mental health tool” to “family support hub”

Clear service details and contact actions make it easy for users to reach support when needed.

Designed with empathy. Built for clarity.

Want to see how the experience supports real people? Walk through the Erie Path app here.