casemanagement

Casemanagement is a collaborative process in which a designated professional coordinates, mediates, and monitors services for individuals with complex needs to achieve agreed-upon goals. The aim is to connect clients with appropriate resources, ensure service continuity, and support health, welfare, and independence. Casemanagement is used across social services, health care, elder and disability services, mental health, and criminal justice settings.

Core elements include person-centered assessment, development of an individualized service plan, linkage to community resources, interagency coordination, advocacy, monitoring of progress, and regular evaluation. A case manager typically acts as a liaison among the client, families, providers, and agencies, addressing barriers such as transportation, housing, insurance, and eligibility. The approach emphasizes client autonomy, cultural competence, and ethical practice.

The typical process involves intake or referral, comprehensive assessment, care planning, service coordination and implementation, ongoing monitoring and modification of the plan, and discharge or transition when goals are met or circumstances change. Roles and responsibilities vary by setting, with some contexts focusing on clinical care within a multidisciplinary team and others emphasizing outreach, social support, and resource navigation.

Challenges include fragmented service systems, large caseloads, privacy and consent considerations, and limited resources. Standards and guidelines come from professional bodies and health and social service systems, which help frame ethical conduct, confidentiality, and collaboration. Overall, casemanagement aims to improve access, continuity of care, and outcomes for individuals with complex needs.