What is the role of the Coordinated Entry Department in shelter referrals?

• A. They review Shelter Surveys to determine if the client meets shelter criteria, and refer the client via HMIS when an opening exists.
• B. They handle only client intake.
• C. They approve all shelter placements.
• D. They manage donor relationships.

Answer: (A)

Coordinated Entry centers its work on connecting people to shelter through a centralized, eligibility-based screening and referral process. It reviews Shelter Surveys to determine whether a client meets the shelter criteria, ensuring that only eligible individuals move forward in the system. When an opening exists, the department uses HMIS to refer the client to the appropriate shelter, documenting the referral and enabling real-time tracking of placement and bed availability. This approach optimizes access to shelter based on need and policy. The other options don’t fit because intake covers broader processes, placement isn’t unilaterally approved by CE, and donor relations aren’t part of the shelter referral workflow.