He or she asks pertinent questions, offers suggestions and helps put members of the network in touch with each other so they can work out issues relating to the care of the child. The case manager can also help parents locate professionals from a variety of disciplines who are qualified to work with their child. For children in our local service area, one of our in-house staff members will typically provide the needed services. However, if a child needs specialized services such as an evaluation for medication or group therapy to enhance social skills, we will make referrals to a select group of qualified professionals, all of whom are committed to working as part of our team. A case manager will then coordinate communication among all of the professionals involved in a child's life, and keep parents up to date through regular contact with them.
Parents can breathe a sigh of relief when they sign on at The Learning Lab.
Many parents tell us that coordinating their child's care is a full time job. NetWorks for Success reflects the long-standing mission of Lesley University to support teachers and schools. Educators and other professionals in the schools who agree to be a part of a NetWorks team find that the support they get helps them be more effective with more children. Teachers benefit from regular consultation from a case manager. In addition to his or her own experience and expertise, the case manager has access to all of the abundant professional resources of Lesley University.