Case Management

Case Management Case management is defined as a process to plan, seek, advocate for, and monitor services on behalf of a client. This process enables case managers of the eligible entities to coordinate efforts to serve a client through professional teamwork and referrals to expand the range of services offered. The goal of case management is to optimize client functioning and well-being by coordinating and providing quality services, in the most effective and efficient manner to enable clients to become self-sufficient. The core functions of case management are as follows: 1) Engagement with clients; 2) Assessment of client priorities, strengths, and challenges; 3) Development and implementation of a service delivery plan with the client; 4) Monitoring of the service delivery plan; 5) Evaluation of outcomes, and 6) Closure (termination of service delivery plan or transition follow-up. A. To receive CSBG assistance, the client is required to comply with case management. The subgrantee will determine if the applicant is a good candidate for case management based on client’s assessment and interview. 1) If the client is a good candidate, the subgrantee will proceed with creating the case plan. The applicant will then have two options: i. Opt-in – If the client chooses to comply with case management, the subgrantee will continue creating the applicant’s case plan. ii. Opt-out – If the client chooses to opt-out of case management for either of the following reasons, (Refusals [Barriers], Employment Schedule Restraints, Cannot Commit [With Reason], or Care for Vulnerable Family Members), the applicant may receive a one-month lifetime payment. Refer to Rule 5.4.B for additional guidance. If the applicant refuses to participate with no barriers, then CSBG services cannot be provided. A list of referrals should be provided by the subgrantee. Any subsequent request will require them to opt-in to case management or services cannot be provided. iii. If the client is elderly and/or disabled, case management is required with restrictions. The domains that a vulnerable household can receive assistance in are Budget, Transportation, Housing, Nutrition, Emergency, or referrals to additional programs. An applicant may receive a one-month payment per program year. 2) If the client is not a good candidate for case management, the subgrantee will list the reasons why the client is not a good fit and continue to make the one-month lifetime payment. The subgrantee must explain to the applicant that case management is a requirement to request additional assistance. 3) The Subgrantee must ensure that the clients opt-in or opt-out status does not change due to a new program year starting. Failure to adhere to this will result in unallowable costs. 4) The subgrantee must make the client aware that with case plan is required to continue receiving CSBG assistance. 5) Subgrantees must work with clients when creating the client’s case plan to determine the course of action needed to assist the client with becoming self- sufficient. 6) It is at the agency’s discretion on how to use and distribute CSBG funds to applicants. 7) Subgrantees have the right to terminate a client’s case plan if goals need to be reassessed and the client is refusing to comply with case plan without a valid reason. No further monetary assistance can be provided. 8) Follow-up appointments for additional CSBG assistance must be in-person. B. Success stories are required when a goal has been achieved and case plan has been terminated. C. Referrals are crucial to the success of case management for a client facing multiple issues. If a client requires support beyond the services offered by CSBG, the entity must refer the client to other intra-support services, and/or to other local/state programs. D. All contact with the client must be documented in Virtual ROMA.