CONNECT: Collaborative Outcomes through Network Navigation and Empowered Care Teams

CONNECT is a collaborative service coordination program offered through the Beaufort County Human Services Department. Our mission is to walk alongside individuals and families as they navigate complex needs—ensuring no one falls through the cracks of our human services network.

Whether you're looking for support or representing an agency interested in building capacity and improving outcomes, CONNECT is here to help.

Who CONNECT Serves

CONNECT links individuals and families to appropriate services within the human services network, helping them navigate complex needs and access support. There is no eligibility threshold and no wrong door. Whether you need help understanding available services, submitting referrals, or coordinating care across systems, we’re here to support you.

We often work with:

• Individuals of any age facing multiple barriers to stability or wellbeing
  For example: a young adult seeking support for education, employment, and independent living.
• Families—traditional or nontraditional—working toward long-term goals
  For example: a caregiver trying to access services for both children and adults while maintaining housing and income stability.
• Community members referred by partner agencies needing help navigating next steps
  For example: an individual working with a local nonprofit who may benefit from multiple services within the human services network.

Our team uses a holistic framework that considers a wide range of quality-of-life domains—including safety, education, housing, basic needs, social connection, mental and behavioral health, financial stability, and more.

What to Expect from CONNECT

Our approach is:

• Voluntary – Participation is always your choice.
• Person-Centered – We honor your voice, values, and lived experience.
• Family-Driven – You define success; we help build the path to get there.
• Collaborative – We work with you, not just for you, alongside our community partners.

How CONNECT Works

Every CONNECT case follows a structured, supportive process:

1. Submit a Referral
   Anyone can submit a referral—including community members, service providers, or the individual or family themselves. There are no minimum requirements.
2. Orientation, Assessment, and Goal Setting
   Once a referral is received, our team will:

• Reach out to the household to gather informed consent and required documents
• Learn about their current experience with the human services system
• Identify strengths, challenges, and immediate goals
• Define what success looks like and begin developing short-term, realistic objectives

1. Collaborative Planning Meetings (also called Staffings)
   Based on the needs identified:

• Our team of experts may hold an internal review to develop recommendations
• We may invite key agencies to join a small collaborative meeting
• Or we may convene a full collaborative meeting with the family and multiple partners

Families remain central to all planning and must approve any coordinated actions.

1. Follow-Up and Ongoing Support
   Following the collaborative meeting:

• We follow up to confirm understanding and implementation of recommendations
• We support progress toward goals
• We reassess needs approximately every 30 days
• We can schedule additional collaborative meetings as needed

1. Closure or Continued Support
   Cases may be closed when goals are met or if the household chooses to disengage.
2. Families are always welcome to return to CONNECT for support in the future.

Partner With CONNECT

Agencies can partner with CONNECT to:

• Build capacity to serve clients with complex or overlapping needs
• Coordinate care and eliminate duplication of services
• Engage in shared planning that honors family voice and agency expertise

Partnership allows your staff to participate in joint planning, leverage CONNECT’s coordination resources, and enhance the services your agency provides.

If your organization is interested in becoming a program collaborator, please [register here] or contact us for more information.