The Shelter Survey with a person seeking shelter has been completed. What should you do next?

• A. Contact the Coordinated Entry System Department.
• B. Schedule a follow-up survey with the same client next week.
• C. Notify the shelter manager and stop processing.
• D. Refer the client to a private service provider.

Answer: (A)

When someone has completed the Shelter Survey, the next step is to move their information into the Coordinated Entry System so they can be considered for shelter and housing resources. The Coordinated Entry System is the centralized process used to assess eligibility, prioritize need, and match people to available shelters and housing programs. By contacting the Coordinated Entry System Department and submitting the completed survey, you ensure the client is entered into HMIS/CES workflows and can be referred appropriately.

Scheduling a follow-up survey can happen later if updates are needed, but it doesn’t advance access to resources. Notifying the shelter manager and stopping processing halts support, which isn’t appropriate at this stage. Referring to a private provider bypasses the standardized CES process, which is designed to coordinate access to limited shelter and housing resources.