Revolutionizing community care in 2022: The power of Closed-Loop Referrals

The social service industry is brimming with generous, visionary people who dedicate their lives to helping vulnerable populations and individuals experiencing hardship. But, unfortunately, today’s social service ecosystem comes with a few enduring challenges even an army of real-life superheroes can’t overcome without hitting the reset button.  

Case managers battle mounds of paperwork that keep them from doing the job they signed up for, and siloed and antiquated data systems block visibility into progress and the next right step for program participants. Of course, these challenges trickle down to the end-user experience, as program applicants bounce between organizations, retelling painful stories and receiving disjointed care.

 “Few work as ardently as the dedicated staff of social service organizations—but, as an industry, we must learn to work smarter, not harder; to collaborate, not compete; and to share, not silo.”  

—Erin Mulligan Nelson, CEO of Social Solutions  

Revolutionizing care with one simple idea 

A key piece of this philosophical shift is what we call “closing the loop.” That means providing the right tools, technology and resources so case managers can identify the right next step for their clients, then connect them with the right person or organization to continue their care.   

No administrative delays. No wild goose chases for service seekers. No person falling through the cracks.

What is a closed-loop?  

A closed-loop means seamless visibility and improved experiences for both program participants and case managers. It’s a technology-enabled circle where care teams can immediately locate an individual’s file, review their history, track their progress, view other providers supporting them, see what support they need next and refer them to the right fit for their needs.

Why close the loop? 

Closing the loop is an ambitious vision worth realizing because it has the power to profoundly enhance program participant experiences and outcomes. Currently, service seekers (who are already managing complex burdens) are responsible for coordinating their own care—which often looks like filing paperwork while juggling several jobs, calling multiple service providers to find the right fit, navigating hours of public transit to meet with case managers and more. 

The closed-loop system can revolutionize the individual-care experience and daily workflow for social service providers by automating much of the administrative labor and connecting program participants with the exact support they need.

Join the Closed-Loop Referral Network 

Social Solutions has been hard at work bringing this vision to life with our Closed-Loop Referral Network. And while we’re closing the loop, our network is built for inclusivity. As we expand the Closed-Loop Referral Network over the coming months, it will be open for all providers to refer clients to other organizations, no matter what case management software they use.  

We’ve just launched the network in select locations and will continue growing the network in order to make comprehensive community care the industry standard. Bring closed-loop care to your community by joining the Closed-Loop Referral Network, referring a friend or requesting access for your area. Learn more and sign up here.