Developing and expanding a collaborative, multidisciplinary network for referrals

To serve patients, it is essential to have a clear referral path for families seen in your practice which involves having a collaborative, multidisciplinary network of resources.

The network may include resources for both the patient and family from national, regional, and local community resources including

• Pediatric specialists and subspecialists, obstetricians and gynecologists, adult primary care providers, social workers, home visiting services, addiction specialists, infectious diseases specialists, mental health and behavioral clinicians, recovery coaches, MOUD providers, community health workers, support groups, peer coaches, and other community services. For assistance expanding your network:

Consider resources for this effort:

• Bright Futures tip sheet for ideas on creating effective partnerships with your community.
• A template to develop local community-based linkages such as the one on aap.org: Referral and Follow Up for Screenings.
• The AAP Care Coordination Resources
• The AAP handout, Parent-Infant Dyad Community Resource Mapping handout to identify local interventional care and community support services.