Navigation Tips: Helping Patients Connect with Community Resources
- Ask other families for feedback on resources they have used to see what is available and effective in the community
- Attend resource fairs to connect with fellow professionals and learn what resources they find helpful for patients
- Consider atypical community sources like afterschool programs or faith-based organizations that offer different kinds of support for patients and families
- Seek out parent or patient support groups that provide additional help for families with intensive needs or complex health conditions
- Use online resource directories provided by local governments or non-profits like 2-1-1 to begin your search
- Provide patients with specific contact information to improve the chances of successful connection with a resource
- Follow up with patients to determine usefulness of or satisfaction with a resource — use electronic health records to track, where possible
- Tap patient navigators to help strengthen community connections and guide patients through obstacles