Family Resource Services at the Thompson Center

At the Thompson Center, our family navigators and social workers come together to create the Family Resource Services (FRS) team. The FRS team provides crucial assistance and support to individuals navigating the referral process, finding clinical services best suited for their needs, participating in the evaluation process, and coordinating care after receiving a diagnosis.  

The Family Resource Services team’s goal is to offer continuous support throughout a patient’s time at the Thompson Center, from initial referral through connection to community resources and discharge. Because the referral and scheduling process can be overwhelming, having a dedicated team to guide families reduces stress, and ensures the process runs smoothly.   

Family navigators are the front-line support for patients seeking autism and other evaluations. They are available to answer questions, assist with paperwork, and ensure that patients are assigned to the most appropriate appointment type for their specific needs. Once placed on an appointment waitlist, the team follows up with a scheduling call approximately two months before the projected appointment date. 

Family navigators not only improve scheduling and managing referrals for families but also play a key role in reducing wait times for evaluations and seeing more patients. During this process, family navigators ask important questions to ensure that the Thompson Center is the best fit for addressing the patient’s concerns and that they are scheduled for the most appropriate type. This proactive approach ensures that patients won’t end up waiting for services that aren’t the best match for their needs. Family navigators can match patients and families to services and providers that are a better fit for their needs.  

Support doesn’t end once an appointment is scheduled. When patients arrive at the center, our team of social workers continues to assist, answering any questions and bridging gaps in care. They also provide referrals for additional services and resources through other organizations. 

The Family Resource Services team is an integral part of the Thompson Center, contributing to both reducing wait times and providing continuous support for patients, families, and caregivers.