Offers assistance to patients with specific issues they are facing with their insurer, employer and/or creditor regarding insurance, job retention and/or debt crisis matters relative to their diagnosis of life threatening or debilitating diseases.   Professional case managers and attorneys specialize in mediation, negotiation, and arbitration to advocate on behalf of patients experiencing issues with access to care, job retention and debt crisis due to their illness.

Provides crisis resolution through giving strategic advice and negotiating to resolve a dispute or obtain items or services for the client. Also assists with information and resources. Types of problems include: - Money/Benefits - Housing - Employment - Health care - Consumer - Relationships - Bureaucracy Cannot give legal advice or direct cash assistance and cannot promise a particular outcome.

Helps people with Medicare quickly resolve a complaint or concern about medical care or services. Directly contacts a practitioner, healthcare provider, or facility on behalf of the patient. Resolves complaints that are not right for a medical record review. Takes care of a complaint faster Examples of Immediate Advocacy: - The hospital staff will not answer your questions. - Your doctor ordered a wheelchair, but you have not gotten it yet. - You need to refill my prescription but can’t get an appointment to see your doctor.

Offer pregnancy, post-pregnancy, breast/chestfeeding, and parenting services at public health centers across King County. Not all services offered at all locations. Maternity Support Services (Part of First Steps): Helps people have healthy pregnancies and recover from pregnancy. Coordinates support until the baby is two months old, and provides breast/chestfeeding support by: - Health education and counseling. - Regular visits in the clinic, by phone or video, or in the client’s home or community setting. - Support beyond the doctor or midwife, including nurses, nutritionists, social workers and community health workers. - Referrals to OB care, WIC, health insurance and other community resources. Infant Case Management (Part of First Steps): - Provides support and guidance from the time the baby is 2-3 months old through baby’s first birthday (for those who qualify). - Helps clients become self-sufficient in gaining access to medical, social, educational and other services they might need. Nurse Family Partnership: Public health nurses provide care coordination services through home or community visits or on the telephone - Partners pregnant people with registered nurses from pregnancy through their child’s 2nd birthday - Delivers the support first-time parents need to have a healthy pregnancy, a healthy birth, and a healthy infancy for the baby. Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs: Public health nurses provide care coordination services through home or community visits or on the telephone. Services include: - Developmental screenings and assessments - Help with concerns such as feeding, nutrition, growth, development and behavior. - Help connect CYSHCN families to the health and related services they need to thrive. Family Ways: - Provides culturally relevant peer support for three community groups: Native American/Alaska Natives, Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian, and U.S. born Black/African Americans from pregnancy through age 5. - Supports clients with pregnancy, parenting, community-connections and resource navigation - Registered Dietitian, Social Worker, and Public Health Nurse available for consultation and coaching