Connecting Care Through Closed-Loop Referrals and Thrive Hub

At SC Thrive, one of the ways we strive to bridge the gap between our clients’ identified needs and available community resources is through the use of referrals. A referral is the process of connecting a client with another service, organization, or program that can provide access to the resources they need. Unlike a traditional referral where an individual is simply directed to an organization that may or may not result in an additional service, SC Thrive focuses on closed-loop referrals. Closed-loop referrals are referrals where the referring organization receives confirmation that the client has been connected with the referred service and, in some cases, receives information about the outcome of that referral.

Closed-loop referrals are important because they help promote continuity of care, reduce barriers to access, and ensure that individuals do not fall through the cracks when seeking assistance. Through Thrive Hub, SC Thrive’s community resource and referral platform, participating organizations can securely send, receive, and track referrals across a network of community partners. This allows providers to work together more effectively, coordinate services, and better support individuals with complex needs.

For partners using Thrive Hub, closed-loop referrals provide greater visibility into the referral process. Rather than wondering whether a client connected with the recommended service or received the support they need, organizations can follow the referral’s progress and identify opportunities for additional actions or follow up as

necessary. This helps strengthen collaboration among agencies, reduce duplicated efforts, and improve overall outcomes for the individuals and families being served.

For the community, the benefits are significant. Individuals and families can access a more coordinated system of care, receive support more quickly, and experience fewer obstacles when navigating services. By connecting organizations and resources through Thrive Hub, closed-loop referrals help create a stronger safety net and improve outcomes for South Carolinians seeking assistance.

What does a closed-loop referral look like in action?

Here’s an example of how this process works. Imagine a rural pediatric clinic identifies a child who may be experiencing anxiety and could benefit from additional behavioral health support. Through Thrive Hub, the clinic sends an electronic referral to a community mental health provider who receives a notification of the referral. This electronic referral is securely shared, and the provider can update its status inside Thrive Hub once the family is contacted and services are offered. Rather than wondering whether the family was able to connect with help, the pediatric clinic where the child was originally seen receives confirmation that the referral was transmitted and what additional services the child received from the mental health provider. This closed-loop process improves communication between providers, supports continuity of care, and helps children and families access services more quickly. This means that, as the child’s primary care provider, the pediatric clinic has a more holistic view of the child’s treatment and is better informed when supporting the child’s overall health. Likewise, the mental health provider is more aware of the other healthcare services the child is receiving that could contribute to their overall wellbeing.

SC Thrive is currently working on a grant-funded project with the South Carolina Office of Mental Health to further assist individuals with referrals. The Rural Enhancements Access to Care & Health grant, better known as REACH, is important because its main goal is to increase the capacity of primary care physicians to make early identification, diagnosis, treatment, and referral of mental health conditions a routine part of children’s healthcare.

Through this initiative, Thrive Hub and the closed-loop referral process will help healthcare providers and community organizations work together to connect children and families with the behavioral health and support services they need. By strengthening referral pathways and improving communication between providers, the REACH project aims to increase access to care, reduce delays in treatment, and enhance health outcomes for children living in rural communities.

Support is available If you or someone you know needs help with benefits, healthcare access, or finding local resources, SC Thrive is here to help.