III. REFERRAL  

The process of facilitating the clientís utilization of available support systems and community resources to meet needs identified in clinical evaluation and/or treatment planning.

 

1. Establish and maintain relations with civic groups, agencies, other professionals, governmental entities, and the community-at-large to ensure appropriate referrals, identify service gaps, expand community resources, and help to address unmet needs.  

Knowledge

1. The mission, function, resources, and quality of services offered by such entities as the following: - civic groups, community groups, and neighborhood organizations; - religious organizations; - governmental entities; - health and allied health care systems (managed care); - criminal justice systems; - housing administrations; - employment and vocational rehabilitation services; - child care facilities; - crisis intervention programs; - abused persons programs; - mutual and self-help groups; - cultural enhancement organizations; - advocacy groups; - other agencies.
2. Community demographics.
3. The communityís political and cultural systems.
4. Criteria for receiving community services, including fee and funding structures.
5. How to access community agencies and service providers.
6. State and Federal legislative mandates and regulations.
7. Confidentiality regulations.
8. Service gaps and appropriate ways of advocating for new resources.
9. Effective communication styles.

Skills

1. Networking and communication.
2. Using existing community resource directories including computer databases.
3. Advocating for clients.
4. Working with others as part of a team.

Attitudes

1. Respect for interdisciplinary service delivery.
2. Respect for both client needs and agency services.
3. Respect for collaboration and cooperation.
4. Patience and perseverance.

 

2. Continuously assess and evaluate referral resources to determine their appropriateness.      

Knowledge

1. The needs of the client population served.
2. How to access current information on the function, mission, and resources of community service providers.
3. How to access current information on referral criteria and accreditation status of community service providers.
4. How to access client satisfaction data regarding community service providers.

Skills

1. Establishing and nurturing collaborative relationships with key contacts in community service organizations.
2. Interpreting and using evaluation and client feedback data.
3. Giving feedback to community resources regarding their service delivery.

Attitudes

1. Respect for confidentiality regulations.
2. Willingness to advocate on behalf of the client.

 

3. Differentiate between situations in which it is most appropriate for the client to self-refer to a resource and instances requiring counselor referral. 

Knowledge

1. Client motivation and ability to initiate and follow through with referrals.
2. Factors in determining the optimal time to engage client in referral process.
3. Clinical assessment methods.
4. Empowerment techniques.
5. Crisis intervention methods.

Skills

1. Interpreting assessment and treatment planning materials to determine appropriateness of client or counselor referral.
2. Assessing the client's readiness to participate in the referral process.
3. Educating the client regarding appropriate referral processes.
4. Motivating clients to take responsibility for referral and follow-up.
5. Applying crisis intervention techniques.

Attitudes

1. Respect for the clientís ability to initiate and follow-up with referral.
2. Willingness to share decision-making power with the client.
3. Respect for the goal of positive self-determination.
4. Recognition of the counselorís responsibility to carry out client advocacy when needed.

 

4. Arrange referrals to other professionals, agencies, community programs, or other appropriate resources to meet client needs. 

Knowledge

1. Comprehensive treatment planning.
2. Methods of assessing clientís progress toward treatment goals.
3. How to tailor resources to client treatment needs.
4. How to access key resource persons in community service provider network.
5. Mission, function, and resources of appropriate community service providers.
6. Referral protocols of selected service providers.
7. Logistics necessary for client access and follow through with the referral.
8. Applicable confidentiality regulations and protocols.
9. Factors to consider when determining the appropriate time to engage client in referral process.

Skills

1. Using written and verbal communication for successful referrals.
2. Using appropriate technology to access, collect, and forward necessary documentation.
3. Conforming to all applicable confidentiality regulations and protocols.
4. Documenting the referral process accurately.
5. Maintaining and nurturing relationships with key contacts in community.
6. Maintaining follow-up activity with client.

Attitudes

1. Respect for the client and the clientís needs.
2. Respect for collaboration and cooperation.
3. Respect for interdisciplinary, comprehensive approaches to meet client needs.

 

5. Explain in clear and specific language the necessity for and process of referral to increase the likelihood of client understanding and follow through.     

Knowledge

1. How treatment planning and referral relate to the goals of recovery.
2. How client defenses, abilities, personal preferences, cultural influences, presentation, and appearance affect referral and follow through.
3. Comprehensive referral information and protocols.
4. Terminology and structure used in referral settings.

Skills

1. Using language and terms the client will easily understand.
2. Interpreting the treatment plan and how referral relates to progress.
3. Engaging in effective communication related to the referral process: - negotiating, - educating, - personalizing risks and benefits, - contracting.

Attitudes

1. Awareness of personal biases toward referral resources.

 

6. Exchange relevant information with the agency or professional to whom the referral is being made in a manner consistent with confidentiality regulations and generally accepted professional standards of care.     

Knowledge

1. Mission, function, and resources of the referral agency or professional.
2. Protocols and documentation necessary to make referral.
3. Pertinent local, State, and Federal confidentiality regulations, applicable client rights and responsibilities, client consent procedures, and other guiding principles for exchange of relevant information.
4. Ethical standards of practice related to this exchange of information.

Skills

1. Using written and verbal communication for successful referrals.
2. Using appropriate technology to access, collect, and forward relevant information needed by the agency or professional.
3. Obtaining informed client consent and documentation needed for the exchange of relevant information.
4. Reporting relevant information accurately and objectively.

Attitudes

1. Commitment to professionalism.
2. Respect for the importance of confidentiality regulations and professional standards.
3. Appreciation for the need to exchange relevant information with other professionals.

 

7. Evaluate the outcome of the referral. 

Knowledge

1. Methods of assessing clientís progress toward treatment goals.
2. Appropriate sources and techniques for evaluating referral outcomes.

Skills

1. Using appropriate measurement processes and instruments.
2. Collecting objective and subjective data on the referral process. 

Attitudes

1. Appreciation of the value of the evaluation process.
2. Appreciation of the value of inter-agency collaboration.
3. Appreciation of the value of interdisciplinary referral.

 

back to Tap 21 Home

Email: no@nattc.org | Revised March 1998