Referral Partners

Working Together to Strengthen the System

Firebird Holdings believes homelessness response works best when organizations communicate clearly, share responsibility, and understand their roles within the larger system.

Referral partners are essential to that work. Counties, hospitals, outreach teams, behavioral health providers, nonprofits, and community organizations are often the first to identify when someone needs safe shelter, stabilization, or coordinated support.

Our goal is to build referral relationships based on trust, clarity, and responsiveness. A strong referral process helps individuals access support faster while giving partner organizations confidence that the people they refer will be treated with dignity and consistency.

As Hearthside and future Firebird campuses develop, this page will continue to serve as a central source of information for referral partners seeking to understand how Firebird works, who we serve, and how referrals are coordinated.

Who Can Refer

Firebird campuses are designed to work with a wide range of community partners. Referrals may come from organizations that already serve individuals experiencing homelessness, housing instability, crisis, hospitalization, displacement, or other urgent needs.

Potential referral partners may include:

• County human services departments
• Hospitals and discharge planners
• Behavioral health providers
• Street outreach teams
• Emergency service providers
• Veteran service organizations
• Domestic violence advocacy organizations
• Community nonprofits
• Faith-based service providers
• Housing navigation teams
• Social workers and case managers

The referral process may vary depending on campus capacity, partner agreements, eligibility guidelines, and local community needs.

Our Referral Philosophy

A referral is more than paperwork. It is often the moment when someone is moving from crisis toward possibility.

Firebird Holdings believes that process should be handled with care. Referral partners should receive clear communication, individuals being referred should be treated respectfully, and information should be transferred in a way that supports continuity rather than confusion.

When a person is referred to a Firebird campus, the goal is not simply to assign a bed. The goal is to begin understanding the person’s situation, immediate needs, support systems, risks, goals, and next steps.

A strong referral process helps prevent people from having to repeat their story over and over again. It also gives staff the information needed to provide support from the beginning instead of starting from zero.

Information That Helps Us Prepare

When a referral is made, having accurate information allows our team to prepare before an individual arrives. While every referral is different, complete information helps reduce delays, improve communication, and create a smoother intake experience.

Referral information may include:

• Basic contact information
• Emergency contacts
• Reason for referral
• Current living situation
• Medical concerns requiring immediate attention
• Mental health or behavioral health considerations
• Current medications (when appropriate)
• Known allergies
• Mobility or accessibility needs
• Veteran status
• Employment status
• Income or benefits information
• Existing case manager information
• Immediate safety concerns
• Long-term housing goals

Not every referral will include every item. Our objective is simply to begin with enough information to provide safe, respectful, and coordinated support from the moment someone arrives.

What Happens After a Referral?

Once a referral has been received, our team begins reviewing the information provided and determining the most appropriate next steps.

Depending on campus availability, eligibility requirements, and the individual's needs, our team may contact the referring organization to clarify information, coordinate arrival, discuss immediate concerns, or answer questions.

If placement is appropriate, staff prepare for intake before the individual arrives. This preparation allows our team to spend less time gathering information during a stressful moment and more time welcoming the individual into a structured and supportive environment.

Throughout the process, we strive to communicate clearly with referral partners while protecting resident privacy and complying with all applicable confidentiality requirements.

Communication Throughout the Process

Strong partnerships depend upon strong communication.

Firebird Holdings is committed to maintaining professional relationships with referral partners by responding promptly, communicating honestly, and working collaboratively whenever questions or challenges arise.

We understand that referral partners often coordinate services across multiple organizations. Timely communication helps reduce duplication, strengthen continuity of care, and improve outcomes for everyone involved.

Whenever possible, our goal is to make the referral process straightforward, transparent, and respectful of everyone's time.

How ShelterNow Supports Referral Partners

ShelterNow plays an important role in creating consistent communication throughout the referral and intake process.

As the platform continues to develop, ShelterNow will support organized intake documentation, resident tracking, communication between authorized staff, operational reporting, and secure record management.

Rather than relying on disconnected paperwork or scattered communication, ShelterNow helps Firebird campuses organize information in one secure operational system.

This improves continuity, reduces administrative burden, and allows staff to spend more time supporting people instead of managing paperwork.

Technology cannot replace relationships, but it can help strengthen them by ensuring important information remains organized and accessible.

Building Strong Community Partnerships

The Firebird Model was never designed to operate independently.

Every successful campus depends upon trusted relationships with organizations already serving the community. Counties, healthcare providers, behavioral health organizations, nonprofits, schools, employers, outreach teams, and community leaders all contribute valuable expertise.

Rather than replacing those organizations, Firebird Holdings seeks to strengthen the network by providing infrastructure that supports collaboration and long-term sustainability.

When organizations communicate openly, coordinate services, and share a commitment to dignity, individuals receive more consistent support and communities become stronger.

General Eligibility Guidelines

Specific eligibility requirements will vary depending on the campus, available capacity, funding sources, community partnerships, and applicable regulations.

As Firebird Holdings expands, each campus will publish clear admission criteria so referral partners understand who may be appropriate for placement and what documentation may be required.

Our objective is to make the referral process as transparent as possible while ensuring every resident receives services appropriate to their needs and every campus operates safely and effectively.

Questions regarding eligibility are always welcome, and our team encourages referral partners to contact us before making referrals whenever clarification is needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can individuals refer themselves?

Policies may vary by campus. Some campuses may accept self-referrals, while others may operate primarily through partner agencies. Please contact us to discuss current referral procedures.

How quickly are referrals reviewed?

Our goal is to review referrals as quickly as possible while ensuring appropriate placement decisions are made. Response times may vary depending on campus occupancy and individual circumstances.

Will referral partners receive updates?

When appropriate and permitted by privacy laws and signed releases, Firebird Holdings will communicate with referral partners regarding placement status and ongoing coordination.

Does Firebird Holdings replace local nonprofits?

No. Firebird Holdings exists to strengthen local communities by building infrastructure and eventually transferring long-term program leadership to nonprofit organizations rooted within those communities.

Become a Referral Partner

Firebird Holdings is actively building relationships with organizations that share our commitment to helping people move toward long-term stability.

Whether you represent a county agency, healthcare provider, nonprofit organization, behavioral health program, school district, veterans organization, outreach team, or another community service provider, we welcome the opportunity to explore how we can work together.

Strong referral partnerships create stronger communities, and we believe collaboration is one of the most powerful tools available in addressing homelessness.

Continue Exploring

Learn more about the Firebird Model, our campuses, and how communities can work together to build stronger systems that support people experiencing homelessness.