What Are Case Management Merits?

Case managers offer help to a wide variety of people with many different types of problems. The role of the case manager is to help individuals navigate difficult social service systems and improve the quality of their lives. As such, the work of the case manager is indispensable to many individuals and social service organizations. The merits of case management are apparent in the specific types of activities that the case managers undertake in the service of assisting individuals.

Obtaining Services

• Case managers connect clients with needed services. In this way, the case manager functions as an expert on the types of services clients may need, working to make good matches between the client and specific programs that can help. Such services can vary greatly, but may include: medical services, transportation, federal welfare programs (such as food stamps or financial assistance), rehabilitation and addiction services, as well as mental health and behavioral health programs. Depending on client need and ability, the case manager may simply supply information about these services, may make referrals, or may actually help the client to make contact and fill out the paperwork needed to obtain services.

Care Coordination

• Case managers take care to perform thorough assessments, working with clients to figure out the client's needs, how the individual's history impacts his current situation, and what environmental and social factors contribute to the situation. The case manager uses this information to help guide the individual through social service systems that may otherwise be difficult to navigate. The case manager is also able to use her skills to ease and clarify communication between the individual and the other professionals involved in his care, such as doctors or mental health clinicians.

Advocacy

• Case managers are in a unique position to advocate for clients. Advocacy may entail making sure that the client's voice is heard and that medical or mental health treatment teams are communicating all possible treatment options clearly and openly with the client. Case managers may also advocate for clients by influencing systematic changes in organizations, so that they are designed to better help clients' needs.

Support

• Case managers may also offer emotional support to clients. Some case managers, such as those with a degree in social work, have specialized training in mental and behavioral health, and are able to offer supportive counseling. Since many people in need of case management are going through major life transitions, or are dealing with multiple sources of stress and adversity, case managers are able to offer an empathetic ear and have a deep understanding of the client's problems and needs.