SOCIAL SERVICES 39-02-004

REFERRALS

POLICY STATEMENT.

The Division of Veterans Healthcare Services requires that each of the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes’ Social Services employees provide counseling and related social services to veteran home residents and their families and/or significant others, and move to refer residents to appropriate outside agencies when services are not available in-house.

PURPOSE.

This policy and procedure shall serve to ensure New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home residents, their families, and/or significant others receive in-house counseling services. Referrals from other facility employees will be entertained for the purpose of consultation. Social Services staff will seek appropriate referrals for outside services when in-house services are not available or are inadequate.

DEFINITION.

REFERRAL - a contact made with an outside resource, on behalf of a resident, for the provision of Social Services to the resident.

PROCEDURE.

A. Social Services:

1. Referrals to other agencies (NJ 12.6.9)

a. A list of outside agencies and programs will be maintained by the Department of Social Services for referrals of residents and families.

b. Referrals shall be documented in the individual's records with pertinent and

relative information included.

2. Referrals to Social Service Department

a. The Social Service Department provides counseling and other social services to residents and their families (and/or other significant persons) on an ongoing and/or as needed basis. The Department also provides consultation services to other direct service staff on the same basis.

b. Referrals for such services should be made as the need arises. Any staff

member or resident may make a referral.

SOCIAL SERVICES 39-02-004

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REFERRALS

3. Staff members may refer:

a. Themselves for consultation: to deal with a specific resident(s)

(i.e. explore new ways to deal with a particular behavior) and/or

to better deal with general issues.

b. Other staff whom they supervise: Staff members should first consult

with appropriate personnel within their department before making a

referral. Employees should discuss the problem with their immediate

supervisors, first, for assistance. Supervisory staff should offer con-

sultation and assistance with subordinates to see if the problem can be

resolved. Referrals will be accepted if further assistance is needed after

these channels have been utilized.

c. Residents, if:

1.) Resident requests a referral. (Nature of problem need not be

divulged for resident to be referred).

2.) Staff notes a problem or potential problems a resident is experiencing.

3.) Staff feels the resident is creating a problem(s) for those

around him/her. (See steps above.)

4. Staff making referrals for residents, themselves, or other staff should do so in writing by filling out a Referral Form and submitting it directly to the Social Services Department.

5. Residents referring themselves should also fill in the form (if capable) or request assistance from staff and submit it to the Social Services Department. (Problem need not be stated.) Residents may also have a family member or other interested person make the referral.

6. The Social Services Department assures complete confidentiality. All meetings shall be in a private room. Separate Social Services files shall be maintained.

Revised: January 2007