CRSS Community Resource Linkage 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a peer specialist learns that a client's primary barrier to attending outpatient treatment is lack of transportation, the FIRST action should be to:
- Refer the client to a taxi voucher program
- Assess all available transportation options in the community (Correct answer)
- Encourage the client to find their own ride
- Document the barrier and close the case
Correct answer: Assess all available transportation options in the community
A thorough assessment of all available transportation resources ensures the most appropriate and sustainable option is identified before making a referral.
Question 2: A client newly in recovery asks about food assistance. Which resource would BEST address immediate food insecurity?
- A SNAP application (which takes weeks to process)
- A local food bank or food pantry (Correct answer)
- A community garden enrollment program
- A nutrition counseling referral
Correct answer: A local food bank or food pantry
Food banks and pantries provide immediate access to food without lengthy application processes, addressing urgent food insecurity.
Question 3: A peer specialist is helping a client navigate the benefits system. Which agency administers Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in the US?
- The Department of Labor
- The Social Security Administration (SSA) (Correct answer)
- The Department of Health and Human Services
- The Veterans Administration
Correct answer: The Social Security Administration (SSA)
The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers both SSDI and SSI programs for individuals with disabilities.
Question 4: When linking a client to a community resource, a peer specialist should ALWAYS:
- Complete the referral paperwork on the client's behalf
- Follow up to confirm the client successfully connected with the resource (Correct answer)
- Accompany the client to every appointment
- Assume the client accessed services if they don't report back
Correct answer: Follow up to confirm the client successfully connected with the resource
Following up ensures successful linkage and allows the peer specialist to troubleshoot barriers if the client did not connect with the resource.
Question 5: A client without health insurance needs mental health services. Which program specifically provides low-income adults access to Medicaid in most US states?
- Medicare Part D
- CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program)
- ACA Medicaid Expansion (Correct answer)
- TRICARE
Correct answer: ACA Medicaid Expansion
ACA Medicaid Expansion extended Medicaid eligibility to low-income adults up to 138% of the federal poverty level in participating states.
Question 6: A peer specialist notices a gap in services for clients needing legal aid for housing disputes. The BEST response is to:
- Provide legal advice directly to clients
- Advocate to supervisors and community partners to address the identified gap (Correct answer)
- Tell clients to research their own legal options online
- Ignore the gap since it is outside the peer specialist's role
Correct answer: Advocate to supervisors and community partners to address the identified gap
Identifying and advocating to address service gaps is a core community resource linkage skill that improves the overall service system.
Question 7: Which of the following is an example of a 'warm handoff' when linking a client to a new service provider?
- Giving the client a pamphlet with the agency's phone number
- Introducing the client directly to the new provider via phone or in person (Correct answer)
- Sending a referral form via fax to the new agency
- Adding the agency contact info to the client's file
Correct answer: Introducing the client directly to the new provider via phone or in person
A warm handoff involves a direct, personal introduction between the client and the new provider to increase the likelihood of successful engagement.
CRSS Community Resource Linkage 2
When a peer specialist learns that a client's primary barrier to attending outpatient treatment is lack of transportation, the FIRST action should be to: