John works at the public health department (PHD) clinic for women and children. A woman comes in with three children, one of whom is crying. Her child has a severe earache, so the woman asks John if he can help her. As John does his intake, he finds out that she has lost her job because of constant childcare issues and was recently evicted from her apartment because of failure to pay rent. She doesn’t have any family in the area and has spent the last two nights sleeping in the local park. John examines the child, diagnoses an ear infection, and tells her she can get the medicine she needs to treat it at the clinic. Before he completes the visit, what should he tell her to do next?

John works at the public health department (PHD) clinic for women and children. A woman comes in with three children, one of whom is crying. Her child has a severe earache, so the woman asks John if he can help her. As John does his intake, he finds out that she has lost her job because of constant childcare issues and was recently evicted from her apartment because of failure to pay rent. She doesn’t have any family in the area and has spent the last two nights sleeping in the local park. John examines the child, diagnoses an ear infection, and tells her she can get the medicine she needs to treat it at the clinic. Before he completes the visit, what should he tell her to do next?

Look at the broader picture and see if there are any opportunities for policy change.

Help her find lodging at the community shelter for women and children.

Provide her with information on resources to help her with financial support while she seeks a new job.

Ask her to come back in 2 months for a reevaluation.