Service Title: Outreach

Definition: One-on-one contact initiated by an agency or organization for the purpose of identifying potential clients (or their care givers) and encouraging their use of existing services and benefits. The emphasis should be placed on conducting home visits for the initial contact.

1. Service Activities May Include:
   
   a) Conducting search and find activities (e.g., canvas door to door and personal contact with older persons whose names have been solicited from community resources) which seek out and identify hard to reach older persons and targeted populations;
   
   b) Informing persons of benefits and services which are available;
   
   c) Encouraging older persons to participate in senior programs;
   
   d) Assisting older persons in gaining access to needed services;
   
   e) Conducting follow-up activities with older persons and/or agency(ies) to determine whether services have been received and the identified need met following the formal referrals;
   
   f) Providing client advocacy to secure needed benefits;
   
   g) Arranging for and providing community presentations which link older persons and caregivers to needed services and benefits; and
2. Unit of Service Definition: A unit of service is any contact between a service provider and an elderly client or care giver.  Outreach units are based on one-on-one contacts by a service provider. Client follow-up is counted as another Outreach unit of service.
3. Service Standards: Reserved (Please refer to complete standard)