Content Information
Referrals are made to the agency by different individuals, organizational and/or institutional sources. Referral sources may include, but are not limited to a friend, family
member, guardian, neighbor, another community member unknown to the individual, a service organization or support group, an eye doctor’s office, another medical office, nursing home/assisted living staff member, or a self-referral.
The Resource Specialist (RS) supports the efforts of the IL program by providing agency and program information to callers who are thinking about making a referral for someone they believe may benefit from agency/program services or the potential client themselves. When the RS is asked to complete an application for a referee, that process will be followed as outlined under Chapter 5 of The Application Process.
In general, the RS’s role under the Intake Referral Process is as follows:
Provide general information to the person who calls the Department and who is either making a referral or thinking about making a referral or who simply wants agency and/or program information.
If the caller expresses interest in obtaining agency and/or program information only, provide the information requested. The caller may be directed to materials located on IDB’s website, via email or when requested in print.
Attempt to discern if the caller is calling for self or someone else such as a friend, relative, guardian, or individual from a community organization. From time to time, there may be individuals who may be reluctant to disclose their relationship to the person they are thinking about referring. That is okay. Listen to their request and provide the information they need.
If a guardian is mentioned during the call, attempt to obtain the guardian’s name and contact information.
Offer an agency tour to the caller and anyone else the caller thinks may have an interest. If the caller is interested in a tour, in follow-up provide the Blindness Empowerment & Independence Center (the Center) Director with the person’s name, contact number, and best time to call.
If helpful, provide other outside service information such as Iowa Radio Reading & Information Services (IRIS), Iowa Department on Aging, and/or Iowa consumer-advocacy group contact information Support Groups | Iowa Department for the Blind, including Iowa Centers for Independent Living (CILs).
If the caller does not want to leave the referee’s contact information at the time of the call, ask the caller if you might follow-up with them in 15 to 20 business days to see if they have any questions about our agency/programs, if they have an interest in arranging a tour of our agency or if we can be of further assistance (i.e., taking a referral).
If the caller wants to proceed to make a referral, take referral information or schedule an appointment to gather the information with the referee and/or the guardian if the guardian information is known. The RS should inform caller that proof of guardianship must be obtained prior to a guardian signing for an applicant or assigning a referee to sign. If proof is not obtained, the guardian must sign a Release of Information to be involved in meeting. Without proof of guardianship, the guardian cannot sign for the applicant.