Case Management and Prevention

It can be difficult to pinpoint the best method for missing persons prevention, as there are a myriad of factors that can impact why a person goes missing. Even within a single case, an individual’s situation is shaped by both personal and systemic circumstances. The field of case management attempts to tackle overlapping factors by providing comprehensive care. But as a case manager’s field of focus increases, so do the challenges they face.

Over the past few weeks, I have begun to witness these challenges in real time. What may seem on the surface to be a simple plan of action can evolve into a compounding series of roadblocks. For a hypothetical example, consider someone who is seeking case management services for housing. As an underlying issue, they might face employment difficulties, thus struggling to afford rent. In addition to this, they may face even deeper challenges, such as mental health struggles. First, a case manager would need to understand these factors as intersectional issues. Unraveling all the complexities of a particular situation is a daunting task, yet case managers work to do so under significant time, communication, and (often) budget restraints. Second, after identifying these intersectional factors, a case manager would need to compile relevant resources and referrals. Accomplishing this requires a unique type of embeddedness in the non-profit sphere of the local community. Case managers frequently collaborate with other organizations to gather resources and send referrals. Finally, the end goal of case management is to go beyond assistance on a single issue by meeting the holistic needs of an individual.

So how can case management act as preventative care for missing Black women and girls? As we’ve discussed in previous articles and videos, Black women and girls face higher rates of missing cases due to intersectional factors such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status. By providing a comprehensive solution, case management can be an effective strategy for reducing their heightened vulnerability to many of the common causes of missing person cases.