Referring Patients to Our Services
Category: News
August 1, 2024
What Medical Providers and Doctors Need to Know About Patient Referrals to Any Baby Can
Any Baby Can is a partner for families when times get tough. We offer in-home services that support children facing a scary diagnosis, kids with developmental delays, first-time moms and parents who need extra support.
Prospective families are referred to us by NICUs, hospitals, pediatricians, obstetricians, midwifes, WIC and other social service or health agencies. If you have an interest or need in getting a family connected to services, Any Baby Can is a great resource.
In this article, we’ll explore who is eligible for our services, the referral process, what patients can expect, as well as insurance and fees.
Who’s eligible for Any Baby Can services?
We have a variety of programs that help families with physical and mental health needs. Most of our referrals from medical professionals fall into four categories:
Patient Type
Potential Program Offerings
Pregnant Mothers
- Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) is for first-time parents only
- Parents as Teachers (PAT) helps parents cope with stress, connect with others and improve their family’s health
- Childbirth and parenting classes
Children under age 3 with a medically diagnosed condition, auditory or visual impairment, or developmental delay
- Early-Childhood Intervention (ECI) provides developmental assessments, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy or specialized skills training
- Comprehensive Advocacy and Resources for Empowerment (CARE) offers additional medical case management
Children under age 20 with a medical diagnosis in need of case management
- Comprehensive Advocacy and Resources for Empowerment (CARE) connects families with a parent advocate to help navigate school systems, providers and more
Any parent who needs support on their parenting journey
- Family education program offers childbirth, parenting and fatherhood classes
- Parents as Teachers helps parents cope with stress, connect with others and improve their family’s health
Eligibility varies by program and our intake specialists help identify the best program for each family. Even if our programs aren’t a good fit, we help them connect to other resources, including parenting classes, free support groups, and more.
Use the program links below or visit our website to learn more about our services.
What’s the referral process like?
Medical professionals can refer patients in a few different ways. However, parents do not need a doctor’s referral to request services from Any Baby Can. We process referrals daily. Fill out as much information as possible so we can best help your patient!
- Online: Anyone can submit a request for service through the Any Baby Can website.
- Phone: Call our main line at 512-454-3743. For Early Childhood Intervention you may also use the ECI referral line at 512-334-4464. We can take calls in English and Spanish.
- Fax or Email: If you know which program your patient should enroll in, you can send in their specific referral form, linked below. Forms may be faxed to 512-477-9205 or emailed to info@anybabycan.org.
- Community Referrals: Parents can express interest through local resources like Connect ATX or WIC. Austin Public Health and WIC offices may also submit patient referrals directly through their web portal.
- You can send patients to our parenting class page to enroll in a class schedule that works for them: anybabycan.org/classes.
Once we receive a referral or request for services, we’ll follow up directly with the parent.
Program-Specific Referral Forms
You can use these forms if you know which program your patient should enroll in. Please make sure they are in our service area for the specific program. These forms may be faxed to 512-477-9205 or emailed to info@anybabycan.org.
Comprehensive Advocacy and Resources for Empowerment form (CARE) – Parents get connected to a parent advocate who can help with insurance, school resources, support groups and more.
Nurse-Family Partnership form (NFP) – A personal nurse guides first-time parents through pregnancy and early childhood. Parents can ask questions and receive support for mom and baby.
Early-Childhood Intervention form (ECI) – Services include family-focused intervention to help with the developmental needs of children between zero and three years old. ECI referrals may also be faxed directly to 512-334-4465. Additional ECI information from Texas HHS for medical professionals.
Before you refer a patient
- Confirm the patient’s availability and interest in participating
- Have the patient's name and contact information
- Define the reason for referral or diagnosis
- Language and contact preference
What to tell patients:
Tell the parent that Any Baby Can will reach out within a day or two of submitting the referral. Depending on their preference, we will follow-up with a phone call, text or email. If the family is interested and eligible, we’ll connect them with the appropriate program for any screenings and enrollment. The timeline depends on the program waiting list, language preference and other factors. In general, families can start services within one or two months.
Most of our services take place in the patient’s home, childcare center or other safe space. This helps staff build a relationship with the family and reduces transportation barriers.
It is helpful to let the patient know that we don’t ask about or report on immigration status. Language and ability to pay are not barriers to receiving support. Most of our programs are entirely free to the family. More than half of our staff is bilingual, and we have translation and interpretation services to cover the family’s needs, including ASL.
Use the links at the bottom of this post to share information with patients about the program you’re recommending them for.
Please remind the patient of the reason for the referral, whether it’s a mother’s eligibility or a child’s medical or developmental needs. While there may be other issues that we can help address—patients in our services may be eligible for mental health counseling, financial assistance or other wrap around supports—the primary focus of our programs is the parent education, child development and family health.
What about insurance and fees?
We work hard to make sure that cost is not a barrier to receiving services. Most of our programs are entirely free for the participants. For programs like Early Childhood Intervention, initial evaluations have no out-of-pocket cost to the families, and services are offered on a sliding scale. Deaf/Hard of Hearing services and vision impairment services are free as well.
We do request consent to bill insurance, if they have it. Our programs accept insurance and uninsured kids, but not all forms of Medicare and Medicaid. Every program is a little different; we can work with the family to assess their specific needs.
If a family would like help with insurance, we can see if they qualify and help them access appropriate insurance.
Program Details and Quick Links
Info for download or printing
FAQ videos (in English and Spanish)
Refer today or contact us with questions!
Any Baby Can families benefit from so many resources, personalized advice and practical support. Do you know a child or family who could benefit from Any Baby Can’s services? Get connected to our programs and learn more.
If you have any questions about service options or the referral process, call our front desk for more information at 512-454-3743 or info@anybabycan.org.
If you have any trouble finding the answers you need, contact our Outreach Specialist Marilyn Vasquez at 512-284-6271.
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