What Happens After You Ask for Help?A Step-by-Step Guide to Community Resource Navigation
Sometimes the hardest part of asking for help is not admitting that you need support.
It is figuring out where to start.
You may know that something needs to change, but you may not know what kind of program you need, which organization to contact, whether you qualify, or what information someone will ask you to provide.
And when several things are happening at once—financial stress, housing concerns, difficulty accessing healthcare, emotional strain, family needs, unemployment, or another life challenge—it can be difficult to know which problem to address first.
At Divine Solutions For Life, Inc. (DSFL), we believe you should not have to understand the entire community-resource system before you are allowed to ask for help.
Sometimes the first step is simply being able to say:
“This is what is happening, and I am not sure where to begin.”
That is where resource navigation can help.
What Is Community Resource Navigation?
Community resource navigation is the process of looking at what you need, identifying resources or services that may be appropriate, and helping you understand possible next steps.
It does not mean that one organization will necessarily provide everything you need.
It also does not mean that every referral will result in services.
Programs may have different requirements related to location, age, income, insurance, household circumstances, funding, availability, or other factors.
Instead, resource navigation helps make the process a little clearer.
At DSFL, that may include helping someone identify community resources, providing resource information, coordinating referrals, connecting individuals with community organizations or providers, or identifying other options that may be appropriate for the person's circumstances.
The goal is not to take over your life or make every decision for you.
The goal is to help you better understand what options may be available and what you can do next.
Step 1: Start With What Is Happening
You do not need to know the name of the program you need before reaching out.
Start with the situation.
For example:
“I am having trouble paying for counseling.”
“I need help finding food resources.”
“My housing situation has changed.”
“I am trying to find support for my family.”
“I have insurance, but I still cannot afford the care I need.”
“I need help finding healthcare.”
“I am looking for employment or financial resources.”
“Several things are happening, and I don't know which one to deal with first.”
This information is often more useful than trying to guess which service or program you should request.
DSFL takes a whole-person approach because people's needs do not always fit neatly into separate categories. Mental, physical, practical, relational, financial, and—when a person wants it included—spiritual well-being can affect one another.
Sometimes counseling is the most appropriate next step.
Sometimes another immediate need should be addressed first.
Sometimes several areas need attention at the same time.
Step 2: Complete the DSFL Self-Referral for Support Form
For an individual seeking personalized assistance from DSFL, the primary starting point is the Connect Me Self-Referral for Support form.
The form gives DSFL information needed to begin reviewing your situation and determining what kind of support or resource navigation may be appropriate.
Individuals can refer themselves. You do not need a doctor, therapist, church, family member, or community organization to refer you before you reach out to DSFL.
After the form is submitted, the information enters DSFL's referral and resource-navigation workflow.
A Note About Your Privacy
Only provide information that is relevant to the assistance you are requesting.
If someone else—a church, agency, provider, family member, or community organization—is helping you connect with DSFL, you should generally complete your own self-referral whenever possible.
Third parties should avoid sending unnecessary sensitive or personally identifiable information through ordinary email.
DSFL seeks to handle information thoughtfully and encourages individuals and referring organizations to share only the information necessary for coordinating support.
Step 3: DSFL Reviews Your Request
After a self-referral is received, DSFL reviews the information provided.
DSFL generally attempts to contact the individual within approximately 24–48 hours.
Depending on the circumstances, communication may occur by:
telephone,
text message, or
email.
This initial contact helps DSFL better understand what is happening and determine what type of next step may be appropriate.
The goal is not to make you retell every detail of your life unnecessarily.
The goal is to gather enough information to understand the need and begin exploring possible options.
Step 4: Your Needs Are Clarified
Sometimes people reach out knowing exactly what they need.
Other times, they do not.
Both are okay.
You may initially believe you need one type of assistance and discover during the conversation that another issue should be addressed first.
For example, someone seeking emotional support may also be facing an immediate housing or food concern.
Someone seeking counseling may have insurance but still be unable to afford their deductible, copay, or other out-of-pocket costs.
Someone looking for financial assistance may also need employment, benefits, transportation, healthcare, or family support.
Resource navigation involves looking at the situation more broadly rather than assuming that one problem exists in isolation.
Step 5: Possible Resources Are Identified
If community resources rather than counseling appear to be the primary need, DSFL may help in several ways.
Depending on the situation, DSFL may:
provide resource information directly;
help identify resources that may be available in your area;
provide information about eligibility when it is known;
coordinate or forward a referral through the Unite Us platform;
connect you with a referral partner; or
identify an organization outside of Unite Us that may be appropriate.
DSFL often begins by searching for resources near the individual's location.
When appropriate local options are unavailable, the search may be expanded to include statewide, national, or virtual resources.
DSFL is Georgia-based and primarily serves Georgia communities, but some resource information and navigation opportunities may extend beyond Georgia.
Step 6: A Referral Is Not the Same as an Approval
This is important.
Being referred to a program does not mean you have automatically been accepted into that program.
Submitting a DSFL self-referral also does not guarantee:
program eligibility;
financial assistance;
funding;
housing placement;
provider acceptance;
an available appointment;
approval by another organization; or
that a particular resource will still have capacity when you contact it.
Community programs frequently have their own requirements.
Funding changes.
Programs reach capacity.
Eligibility rules can change.
Providers may not have openings.
Sometimes an otherwise appropriate resource simply is not available when someone needs it.
DSFL's role is to help identify and explore possible options while being honest about what we can and cannot control.
Step 7: If the First Resource Does Not Work, That Does Not Necessarily Mean the Search Is Over
One of the most frustrating parts of seeking community support is being told:
“You don't qualify.”
“We don't serve your county.”
“Our funding is gone.”
“We aren't accepting anyone right now.”
“Call somewhere else.”
After hearing that several times, it can become exhausting.
A resource not working out does not mean your need is unimportant.
It may simply mean that particular resource is not available, appropriate, or accessible under the current circumstances.
When possible, the next question becomes:
What other options are available?
Sometimes there will be another resource.
Sometimes there will be several possibilities.
Sometimes the best available option may be different from what you originally expected.
And sometimes, unfortunately, the resource someone needs may simply not be available.
Part of responsible resource navigation is being honest about that reality while still helping the person understand what may be possible next.
Step 8: Keep Track of Your Referrals and Follow-Up
When you are contacting several programs, it can become difficult to remember who you spoke with, what they told you, and what you are supposed to do next.
Consider keeping a simple record that includes:
organization name;
person you spoke with;
telephone number or website;
date you contacted them;
what assistance you requested;
documents they asked you to provide;
whether you need to call back;
application or reference numbers; and
your next follow-up date.
This can reduce the frustration of starting from the beginning every time you make another call.
It also helps you see which steps you have already completed.
What If Counseling Is Part of What You Need?
If DSFL's review indicates that counseling may be appropriate, the process may move in a different direction.
Your needs may be clarified through additional conversation or consultation, and an appropriate counseling provider may be considered based on factors such as:
your presenting need;
your location;
age;
insurance;
provider availability;
licensure;
specialty;
financial circumstances; and
applicable program requirements.
DSFL works with Mending Minds Counseling & Coaching Group and other approved participating providers and referral partners.
Seeking counseling support through DSFL does not automatically mean that someone will be assigned to Mending Minds.
It also does not automatically mean that someone has applied for or been approved for DSFL's Mental Health Services Voucher Program. The voucher program has a separate application, documentation, and approval process.
You Do Not Have to Be Uninsured to Ask for Help
Another important misconception is that nonprofit assistance is only for people who do not have insurance.
That is not always the case.
People seeking support may be:
insured;
underinsured; or
uninsured.
Having insurance also does not necessarily mean that every needed service is financially accessible.
The appropriate resources will depend on the individual's circumstances and the requirements of the programs being considered.
You Do Not Have to Be Christian to Receive Support From DSFL
Divine Solutions For Life is a faith-based organization.
Faith and spiritual support are available when they are meaningful to the person seeking assistance.
However, you do not have to:
be Christian;
attend a church;
receive a church referral;
participate in religious activities; or
request faith-based support
to seek assistance from DSFL.
We want people to be able to access help in a way that respects their own beliefs, needs, and preferences.
What Should You Expect From DSFL?
We cannot promise that we will have every answer.
We cannot promise that every program will have funding.
We cannot promise that every referral will be accepted.
We cannot promise that the exact resource you need will be available.
What we can do is take your concern seriously, review the information available to us, help explore appropriate options, and identify possible next steps when we can.
Sometimes success looks like finding an appropriate resource.
Sometimes it is connecting with counseling.
Sometimes it is discovering a program you did not know existed.
Sometimes it is realizing that one issue should be addressed before another.
And sometimes success begins with simply feeling a little clearer about what to do next.
You do not have to have everything figured out before you ask for help.
Your Next Step
If you are trying to navigate mental-health, wellness, housing, food, healthcare, employment, financial, family, or other community-resource needs and you are not sure where to begin, you can start by completing the Divine Solutions For Life Self-Referral for Support form.
DSFL will review the information you provide and help identify possible next steps based on your needs and the resources currently available.
Connect with DSFL:www.divinesolutions-forlife.com/self-referral-for-support
If you prefer to explore resources independently, you can also visit:
DSFL Community Resources:www.divinesolutions-forlife.com/community-resources
Important Information
Resource availability, eligibility requirements, program funding, service areas, and provider capacity can change. A referral or request for assistance does not guarantee eligibility, acceptance, funding, placement, or services. Final eligibility and availability are determined by DSFL or the organization providing the applicable program or service.
DSFL’s Self-Referral for Support process is not an emergency-response service. If you are in a crisis, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room for immediate assistance. Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
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