Intake is the agency's process for learning about the household and turning that knowledge into a written plan. It moves through a fixed set of papers. Your job is to know which paper exists at each stage and to check it before you move on.
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Stage one: the referral call
Record the date, the name of the person who took the call, and the agency name exactly as it appears on the lookup results. If the caller uses a trade name or a former name, note both. Ask for the agency's registration details in writing.
Stage two: the public file check
From the file: Look up the agency in the federal and state records before the intake visit is booked. Confirm the category, the address, and the status shown. Mark anything that does not match the agency's own paperwork.
Stage three: the intake visit
Editorial: The intake visit is the agency's chance to write down the household. Keep a copy of every question asked and every answer given. Note who from the agency attended and who from the family did.
Stage four: the written care plan
The care plan lists the tasks, the hours, the visiting staff roles, and the contact for changes. Read it line by line against what was said at intake. Any spoken promise that is missing from the paper is an open item.
Stage five: review and signature
Do not sign until every open item has a written answer. Ask for a signed copy and keep it with the check sheet. Use the self-check steps if you want to repeat any lookup before signing.