For many Colorado families facing housing instability, finding the right resources can be overwhelming.
While screenings in healthcare settings help identify critical needs, studies have shown that clinics often lack knowledge of available services. Additionally, gaps in referral processes can leave families uncertain about how to access the support they need, making clinic-to-community linkages difficult to navigate.
That’s where the CARELOOP Intervention comes in. Led by researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, this initiative aims to strengthen connections between healthcare providers and community-based organizations. By engaging clinical partners, providers, support personnel, and organizations like Brothers Redevelopment’s housing helpline, Colorado Housing Connects (1-844-926-6632), CARELOOP aims to ensure that families receive the services they need without unnecessary barriers.
Funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the CARELOOP project is working to close the referral gap by ensuring that families who are screened for social needs — like housing insecurity — are effectively linked to resources that provide real solutions. In partnership with Federally Qualified Health Centers, this program is testing ways to streamline the referral process and improve service coordination between primary care providers and community-based organizations.
As part of the project, team members are mapping the process from screening to referral to service linkage. The CARELOOP project is also hosting randomized control trials across 11 clinics, evaluating how enhanced referral processes impact service access for families, particularly those with children under the age of five.
“As Colorado Housing Connects continues to collaborate with partners invested in closing the referral gap, we remain committed to being a reliable resource for families in need. Housing stability plays a key role in overall well-being, and through initiatives like CARELOOP, we’re working to ensure that more families can access the support they need without unnecessary barriers,” said Colorado Housing Connects Program Director Patrick Noonan.
The University of Colorado School of Medicine intends to use the results of this study to share with state policy makers and healthcare providers. Additionally, the research team will create a roadmap on how to best implement screenings that include tested strategies, identified challenges, and solutions identified by English and Spanish-speaking families.
“At Colorado Housing Connects, we know how critical it is to make sure families in crisis get the support they need when they need it. Our team works tirelessly to connect people with housing resources, rental assistance, eviction prevention programs, and guidance on affordable housing options,” said Noonan. “By serving as a trusted point of contact, Colorado Housing Connects helps ensure that housing-related referrals made through CARELOOP and other initiatives result in meaningful assistance rather than dead ends.”