When entering notes for client encounters, selecting the “type of support” from the drop down menu helps define and categorize what was accomplished during that encounter. You can select as many types of support for the encounter as needed.
Here's what the types of support mean and some examples!
Social Support: this is about being there for someone, checking in on them, and/or building your relationship together. Most visits have some component of social support.
- Examples: CHW calls client to check in on how their week has been; CHW meets with client to go for a walk; CHW drops off an adult coloring book after their client mentioned enjoying them for stress relief
Coaching for health habits: this is about helping your clients build their confidence and capabilities to take action and make changes that will help them reach their well-being goals you have set together.
- Examples: CHW provides clients with information about quit smoking options and talks through the pros and cons of each; CHW working out with them at the YMCA; CHW creates Roadmap with clients to create a habit of exercising 2x a week.
Navigation for healthcare and Navigation for mental healthcare: this is about helping your clients find their way through the healthcare system to get the support they need.
- Examples: CHW makes 3-way call to client’s insurer to find out coverage options; CHW assists client with getting referral to a specialist; CHW works with care team to ensure client will be able to complete home care appointments after discharge.
Advocacy for empowerment: this is about speaking up with and on behalf of your client in situations where they are encountering roadblocks to accessing what they need.
- Examples: CHW accompanies client to meeting at benefits office to appeal determination; CHW helps client draft letter to landlord documenting issues with rental property; CHW organizes community meeting with client to address neighborhood safety concerns.
Problem solving: this is about taking action to address specific challenges your client is facing. This includes referrals, but we also encourage you and your clients to be creative and flexible in figuring out how to address these challenges. Specific categories and examples are listed below.
- Activities of daily living: Addressing client needs around taking care of oneself and living independently; includes support for disabilities.
- Benefits & insurance: Connecting clients to benefits and insurance such as TANF, SSI, Veteran’s services.
- Caregiving: Supporting clients who are caregivers for others. Can include helping clients organize family members to help, or finding home health aides or adult daycares.
- Childcare: Supporting clients who are responsible for childcare. Can include helping clients find afterschool programming, summer camps, childcare subsidies.
- Clothing & goods: Helping clients get the clothing and goods they or their families need. Can include finding donations or low-cost furniture, personal items, “working wardrobe” clothing programs.
- Community groups: Connecting clients to local community groups to facilitate connections and build social support. Can include connections to senior centers, neighborhood watch groups, faith-based organizations, or starting your own community group.
- Education: Supporting clients who want to further their education or job training. Can include support with GED programs, tutoring services, vocational programs, online learning.
- Employment: Supporting clients who want to change their current employment situation. Can include helping clients figure out what they want to do as well as making connections to careerlink centers, job training programs, and apprenticeship opportunities
- Food: Helping clients get the food they or their families need. Can include connecting clients to food pantries, meals on wheels, or SNAP application assistance.
- Housing: Helping clients have a safe and stable place to live. Can include helping clients find family and friends to stay with, shelter referral, housing application assistance, and home repairs.
- Incarceration or reentry: Helping clients whose lives have been impacted by incarceration - this includes current or previous incarceration or incarceration of a loved one.
- Intimate partner safety: Helping clients with concerns about intimate partner safety.
- Legal: Helping clients who have legal concerns. Can include connecting clients to community legal services, immigration assistance, record expungement.
- Phone & internet: Helping clients who need help accessing phone and internet services.
- Substance abuse: Supporting clients who need help with substance use/abuse. Can include direct support of a client as well as connection to self-help programs (AA, NA), harm reduction programming.
- Transportation: Helping clients access transportation. Can include support for used car shopping, or help using rideshare programs, and public transit assistance.
Utilities: Helping clients access and pay for utilities like heat, gas, water. Can include help with budget billing, weatherization services, and energy-saving subsidies.