The following steps describe the typical process in our advocacy services:
You contact the center because you or someone you know faces a serious chronic or life-threatening illness.
Generally a student patient advocate will contact you to schedule a “triage” telephone appointment within two to three business days. Plan for a 30-45 minute call.
During our "triage" process, a student patient advocate will talk with you by telephone to help you identify key issues, determine how urgent your case might be, collect pertinent information and identify whether your case is a "good match" for the advocacy services we offer. If it becomes clear that another organization is better equipped to assist you, we'll work to provide you with a good referral.
We may be able to help you in just a few phone calls. This “critical advocacy” is shorter in duration and allows us to assist you in finding resources and defining steps to answer questions and resolve concerns.
If you need longer term advocacy you may be paired with another student patient advocate who will work with you at greater length. On average advocacy relationships last between three to five months.
Your advocate will send you a written agreement that identifies what advocacy you and your advocate will address. You will also received additional information about the Center including our educational mission and how we work, what to expect, the roles you and your advocate may play in the advocacy relationship.
The Center works on an academic calendar. Students begin and end their time at the Center on a semester basis and sometimes may have to transfer their clients to another student patient advocate. We will prepare you for this transition if it applies in your case.
Finally, we close a case when the role of the advocate has been satisfied, advocacy avenues have been exhausted, or when you have resolved your advocacy issues. You can reapply for services at any time in the future.
