Triage is used to quickly identify and recommend services, government programs, and screenings which may meet a person's needs. The aim of triage is to quickly recommend potential courses of action for a person who contacts the agency for help. Typically triage is performed when a person has had no prior interaction with the agency and is completely unaware of the help that may be available to him or her. For example, a person may have an emergency need for food for his family and might be unaware of benefits that are available to meet this need.
During the triage process, the person is asked a short set of basic questions related to the following core needs: food, shelter, health, financial, education, and safety. Based on the person's answers to these questions, the system recommends services and programs that may address those needs. The person can be referred to various service providers identified by the system, continue to screen for potential eligibility for recommended programs, or apply for programs directly.