Direct Referral Process - CIE San Diego

Direct referral
Set-Up Request

Join the 61 CIE partners who currently accept Direct Referrals by opening up your services to receive Direct Referrals from referral coordination partners.

What is a direct referral?

A direct referral is an effective method for connecting clients to services through a seamless electronic process known as a warm hand-off. In this approach, pertinent information about the client is securely transferred from one agency to another, ensuring that additional intake procedures and follow-up interactions occur directly with the client.  
 
The agency receiving the referral is expected to carefully document the outcomes of their conversations and interactions with the client. This documentation is essential for tracking the referral’s effectiveness and ensuring that the client receives comprehensive support throughout their journey. By closing the loop on a direct referral, both agencies contribute to a coordinated care experience for the client. 

What is the difference between a direct and informational referral?

Direct referrals ensure individuals are proactively connected to services through a coordinated system where organizations that accept those direct referrals can:

•       View Information about a client beforehand

•       Follow-up with the client to confirm eligibility for services

•       Track interactions and conversations with the client over time

 

In contrast, Informational Referrals present a different model where the responsibility rests with the client. With Informational Referrals, clients receive information about available services but are not connected directly. Instead, they must take the initiative to contact the agency themselves and navigate the service delivery system independently. This approach may empower clients to take charge of their own care; however, it can also lead to challenges if they are unsure how to proceed or if they encounter barriers in accessing the needed services.

What are the benefits and values of Direct Referrals?​

For Partners:
• Review the client’s history of care before-hand to make informed decisions on how to provide services and coordinate care
• Facilitates communication between you and other service providers to plan and coordinate care for clients
•  Keeps other partners involved in the referral process informed
• Supports building trust and meaningful relationships with your clients to provide the best possible experience and support
• Organizations can prescreen clients for needed services and refer them directly to your programs
• Track program enrollments and outcomes for your clients
• Use data from direct referral activity to evaluate how clients access your program
• Learn how clients are getting connected to your services
• Learn about other services your client is accessing or has accessed in the past
• Track your organization’s impact and share it with funders and community stakeholders

For Clients:
• Reduces the burden of providing basic demographic information repeatedly
• Improves the chances of getting clients connected to the services they need
• Clients benefit from outreach and an extra layer of support, rather than having to self-navigate the screening and intake processes on their own
• Prevents clients from falling through the cracks enabling organizations to connect with the client directly and initiate intake
• Clients benefit from follow-up and tailored interventions
• Clients benefit from an expedited screening process for services
• Increase the odds of clients getting enrolled in services
• Clients can track program enrollments over time
• Clients can track their history of care over time

How do I get access to Direct Referrals through CIE?

CIE Partners utilize a secure technology platform to support our shared clients by viewing a clients’ history of care, sending electronic warm-handoffs, and exchanging data to ensure timely, informed, and tailored interventions. 

To get access to the CIE Platform, contact our [email protected].  

How do I update my services in the 211 San Diego Database?

CIE shares the same database of resources as 211 San Diego found on www.211sandiego.org. An integral part of having your resources available to the CIE networks making sure that the listings for your programs and services are up to date and provide detailed information to ensure that organizations using the CIE make the best referral possible.

You can review and make updates to your service listings electronically by signing in to the CIE Partner Community. If the person responsible of updating your services does not currently have a login, you can request one here.

 

Once you have access to the CIE Partner Community, please review the services listed by clicking on the “Agency Profile” tab and click through the service links and ensure the services are up to date. To make edits or changes to the service listings, you can click on the service name and “Request Service Update.”

·          If you do not see the service name listed, please complete the new program form online.

·         To learn more about how to update your services, download guide. 

How do I set up my services as direct referrals?

Follow the steps in the form below to determine if your organization is ready to start receiving direct referrals.

Direct Referral Set-Up

Search for your agency in our Directory of Services here. If your agency is not listed, become a 211 San Diego Partner here.

You can review and make updates to your service listings electronically by signing in to the CIE Partner Community. If the person responsible of updating your services does not currently have a login, you can request one here.

 

Once you have access to the CIE Partner Community, please review the services listed by clicking on the “Agency Profile” tab and click through the service links and ensure the services are up to date. To make edits or changes to the service listings, you can click on the service name and “Request Service Update."