CIE and SDOH Terminology Glossary

Service Request

An in-bound request from a participating organization for another entity within the CIE (e.g., an agency or social navigator) to accept the request and perform a service. Examples of services could include performing a telephone-base outreach to the client, making them an appointment at an agency, or enrolling them in a program to which they qualify

Referral

The provision of information, verbally or electronically (i.e., email, chat, text) to enable a client to take action on their own to receive assistance or services. Examples of a referral could include a 211 Call Center Agent emailing a phone number or address of an agency to a caller, or a social navigator providing the hours of operation at a food pantry

Intervention

a unique instance of a service being provided to a client. Examples could include the provision of groceries at a food pantry or providing tax preparation services for a client.

Observation

general notes about the current, relevant circumstances for a client. Observations could include the results of a SDOH screening, a client’s status with regard to a SDOH domain (e.g., currently experiencing homelessness) or whether a client is pregnant

Screening

a collection of responses by a client to a series of questions that help define their current circumstances and/or needs

Outcome

a final disposition to a service request. Examples could include a client being situated in permanent housing or the closing of a service request as “unmet” due to the inability of a social navigator to reach a client after multiple attempts