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The Navigator suggests service referrals that are responsive to the parent or caregiver’s priority concerns and informed by the BASICS and Support Plan. If the family needs additional or different referrals, these should be chosen in collaboration and partnership with the parent or caregiver taking the family’s Support Plan into consideration. The following are things to consider when making referrals:
- Refer to organizations near where the OhioKAN Family lives and/or works
- Take into consideration the participant’s past experiences, whether positive or negative, with organizations in their area. If an OhioKAN Family has concerns about a referral or organization, accommodate those concerns by suggesting an alternative.
- Consider transportation access (e.g., if the participant is traveling on public transportation, select an organization that is easily accessible via public transit)
- If a warm hand-off by phone, email, or in-person is needed, ensure there is a plan or scheduled time to do so and document this in the SACWIS and in the Support Plan.
- If the family has multiple needs, provide referrals to address these needs. Then, as appropriate, build out a plan with them of when and how they will access those referrals and what support they will need (e.g., reminders, assistance filling out forms, language or transportation support). Record this all in the Support Plan, specifically in the Support Plan Table.
- Use the Support Plan to prioritize and sequence support for the most urgent referral needs first. Sequencing does not mean the referrals themselves are withheld until a later date. All referrals should be provided as soon as the need emerges. However, the advocacy support related to referrals may include a plan to target one or two referrals at a time so that the number of initial engagements with service providers does not overwhelm the family.