Children who are in referral status, or assigned to a provider and pre-enrolled, may enter the PEND process when a family contacts the provider to request a delay in services due to an extended leave. If the family does not anticipate returning, the child will be exited from the referral or pre-enrollment process. See also PENDS below.
Providers contact the family and discuss options with them and their circumstance. It is appropriate to let the family know that if they will be out of town for more than a month (or are not sure about their return) we close the referral and exit them and ask our Child Find/CHERISH Outreach (Dana) to reach out to them when they are expected to return. If the family has a return date, we can PEND and potentially schedule an intake. If we lose contact with the family, we can will go back to the referral source and have them follow up with the family.
- When informed that the family will be out of town for an extended period, inform them that this suspends the 45-day timeline, temporarily.
- If the family has a return date, and an intention to return, we can pend the referral and hold it.
- Provider and family will agree upon contact means, and date for follow-up.
- If the family is not sure when they will return or the time is more than a month, let the family know that we will exit, and they can re-refer with a call at any time up to age three.
- Contact the referral source with a letter to let them know to refer upon client return, if appropriate.