What is the function of Care Navigation within the HEART Program?

• A. Care Navigators coordinate hospital admission referrals.
• B. Care Navigators conduct data analysis for program evaluation.
• C. Care Navigators provide crisis counseling over the phone.
• D. Care Navigators follow up with people after meeting with first responders to help connect to the community-based care they need and want.

Answer: (D)

Care Navigation in the HEART Program focuses on linking individuals to community-based care after an initial contact with first responders. The navigator follows up after that meeting, helps the person identify services they need and want, and guides them through access barriers to connect with appropriate supports—such as medical care, behavioral health, housing, transportation, or social services—and coordinates the next steps or appointments to ensure ongoing engagement.

The other options describe activities that aren’t about linking people to ongoing community care after an encounter: coordinating hospital admission referrals is hospital-focused, data analysis is about evaluating the program rather than helping individuals access services, and crisis counseling over the phone is direct crisis intervention rather than navigation to existing resources.