PROFESSIONAL REFERRAL
Refer a family. Help Them Find Their Next Step.
When a family needs support beyond your professional role, Bridging Barriers can help them explore practical resources, community connections and family navigation options
If you work with a family who is overwhelmed, unsure where to start, navigating an Alberta system, adjusting to a diagnosis, or trying to figure out what comes next, this is the right pathway.
Bridging Barriers helps families understand their options and identify the support that best fits where they are right now.
You do not need to know exactly what the family needs before referring them.
That's part of what we do.
From Referral to the Right Support Pathway
Every referral is reviewed to understand the family's situation, needs and priorities.
Depending on what the family needs, their recommended pathway may include:
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
For families who primarily need information, resources, practical templates or connection with other parents and caregivers.
Families may be invited to join the free Bridging Barriers Community Hub.
FAMILY NAVIGATION CONSULTATION
For families who need individualized support navigating systems, funding, school, services, transitions or complex situations.
Consultations are available virtually or in the family's home.
When consultation is recommended, the family will be informed of the cost before any paid service is scheduled.
PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
When psychological assessment or clinical psychology services may be appropriate, the family may be referred to Chris Janzen, Registered Psychologist, who practices independently.
Psychological services are separate from Bridging Barriers family navigation.
CONNECTED SUPPORT
Some families may benefit from more than one pathway.
With the family's knowledge and authorization, family navigation can work alongside independent professional services to help connect recommendations with practical action at home, school and in the community.
Every referral is reviewed to understand the family's situation, needs and priorities.
Depending on what the family needs, their recommended pathway may include:
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
For families who primarily need information, resources, practical templates or connection with other parents and caregivers.
Families may be invited to join the free Bridging Barriers Community Hub.
FAMILY NAVIGATION CONSULTATION
For families who need individualized support navigating systems, funding, school, services, transitions or complex situations.
Consultations are available virtually or in the family's home.
When consultation is recommended, the family will be informed of the cost before any paid service is scheduled.
PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
When psychological assessment or clinical psychology services may be appropriate, the family may be referred to Chris Janzen, Registered Psychologist, who practices independently.
Psychological services are separate from Bridging Barriers family navigation.
CONNECTED SUPPORT
Some families may benefit from more than one pathway.
With the family's knowledge and authorization, family navigation can work alongside independent professional services to help connect recommendations with practical action at home, school and in the community.
If the primary need is psychological assessment or clinical psychology services, please use the separate Psychological Services Referral pathway below.
Chris Janzen is a Registered Psychologist who practices independently
from Bridging Barriers and Janzen Consulting Group.
Not sure which pathway fits?
If the family may benefit from both psychological services and family navigation, use the Refer for Family Navigation form and explain in the primary reason for referral section under other or feel free to contact us and we can help clarify the appropriate referral pathway.
What Happens After You Refer?
Every referral is reviewed to understand the family's situation and determine the most appropriate support pathway.
Here is exactly what happens after you submit this form.
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REFERRAL
RECEIVED
We acknowledge the referral and review the information provided.
FAMILY
CONTACT
With family awareness and consent, we contact the family to understand their situation, priorities and support needs.
SUPPORT PATHWAY IDENTIFIED
We identify the pathway
or combination of supports that best fits the family's current needs
and circumstances.
NEXT
STEPS
The family receives clear information about the recommended next step, including any available options, costs and timelines.
Coordinated, Not Duplicated
We work alongside existing professionals and supports, not instead of them.
We do not take over a family's care.
We help families understand, organize and act on the information they already have.
When appropriate and authorized by the family, we can coordinate with other professionals involved in their support.
SCOPE OF SERVICE
What Professionals Can Expect When Referring to Bridging Barriers Family Navigation
We support families before, during and after diagnosis, after major medical events, during system transitions, and whenever they don't know what comes next.
We are family navigators, not clinicians
We bridge the gap between information, recommendations and real-life follow-through.
We help families take action, not just receive information
We stay alongside families as systems, needs, and plans evolve
We bridge the gap between information, recommendations and real-life follow-through.
We help families take action, not just receive information
We stay alongside families as systems, needs, and plans evolve
navigation
action steps
support
When to refer to us
Family feels overwhelmed or stuck
They do not understand next steps after a report or
diagnosis
They need help finding Respite/ Personal Care Providres
They need support for IPP meetings or school advocacy
They are applying for or managing FSCD, PDD, AISH, or AHS
They are transitioning to adult services
They need help coordinating multiple providers
They would benefit from peer support and community
WHAT WE DO
* Break down reports into clear, actionable steps
* Prepare families for meetings so they can participate with confidence
* Support applications, renewals, and appeals
* Help families organize documentation and priorities
* Coordinate and connect to appropriate services
* Provide written summaries families can share with their team
* Offer consistent, ongoing navigation support
What we do not do
x Psychological assessment or diagnosis ~ Available only through our registered psychologist, not through consultation services
x Medical advice or treatment decisions
x Legal representation
x Crisis or emergency response
x Therapy or clinical intervention
x Child intervention involvement
x Chiropractic care
If Cost May Be a Barrier
We don't want a family to be referred to us only to discover that the recommended support is not financially accessible.
If you are aware that cost may be a concern, please let us know on the referral form.
A paid consultation is not automatically required.
Depending on the family's situation, the most appropriate pathway may include the free Community Hub, existing funded supports, community resources, another referral, or individualized consultation.
No paid service is scheduled without the family understanding the cost and choosing to proceed.
If a family’s needs fall outside our scope...
We will not take on cases that require clinical or crisis support.
We will help identify the right referral pathway so the family gets the right support.
Questions about fit? Reach out and we will guide you.
Supporting the Families You Serve
You helped identify the need.
We help the family figure out what comes next.
Every referral is an opportunity to connect a family with the level of support that actually fits where they are.
REFERRAL FORM
Submit a formal referral.
We support families before, during and after diagnosis, after major medical events, during system transitions, and whenever they don't know what comes next.
If you would like to refer for
psychological services only please click here.
We support families before, during and after diagnosis, after major medical events, during system transitions, and whenever they don't know what comes next.
If you would like to refer for
psychological services only please click here.
Questions before you refer?
If you're unsure which pathway fits, or you would like to discuss a complex situation before submitting a referral, Candice is available for a brief professional consultation.
Candice Janzen
Founder & Family Advocate
[email protected]
Referral acknowledgement:
within 1 business day
Navigation support pathway recommendation: within 5 business days for accepted referrals
When to Refer
Consider referring a family when:
• They feel overwhelmed or stuck
• They don't understand what comes next after a diagnosis or report
• They are unsure whether they need an assessment or where to start
• They are navigating FSCD, AHS, PDD or Alberta Education
• They need help preparing for an IPP or school conversation
• They are struggling to find or coordinate services
• They are approaching a transition or funding change
• They have professional recommendations but don't know how to implement them
• They are coordinating multiple professionals
• They are experiencing system fatigue or caregiver burnout
• They could benefit from family resources or parent connection
• You know they need support but aren't sure which type
Not sure this is the right referral?
If the primary need is clinical = make sure you clarify the referral is for our Registered Psychologist
If immediate safety is at risk = contact emergency services or child intervention
If the family needs legal representation = connect with Legal Aid Alberta
We can help you find the right referral pathway
Supporting the families you serve.
Every referral you make is a referral to a navigator who already knows the system ~ and will treat the family with the same care you do.
Bridging Barriers FAMILY NAVIGATION
Family navigation, community, connection and professional support for families caring for children with adaptive needs.
Operated through Janzen Consulting Group
No family should have to struggle alone simply because they don't know where to start.
FOR FAMILIES
FOR PROFESSIONALS
CONNECT
Bridging Barriers is a program of I Can Play 2 Foundation Nonprofit organization. | Charitable registration in progress. | Based in Edmonton, Alberta. Serving families across Alberta virtually.
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