A client informs you that their sister who assists with rent has moved away. What is the first step to help this client?

The most appropriate first step in this situation is to conduct an assessment and service plan update. This process involves gathering comprehensive information about the client's current living situation, financial status, and overall needs. The loss of a financial supporter like the sister who assisted with rent can have significant implications for the client's stability and well-being.

By updating the service plan, the case manager can identify potential areas of support and intervention, such as connecting the client with resources for housing assistance, financial counseling, or exploring possible new living arrangements. This step ensures that the case manager has a clear understanding of the client's current challenges and can tailor the support services accordingly, ultimately aiming to address the client’s immediate and long-term needs effectively.

While seeking emergency funds or finding a new roommate may be necessary steps later on, they should follow the assessment and planning phase to ensure the solutions implemented are appropriate and sustainable. Contacting the sister may not be practical or viable, considering she has already moved away. Therefore, prioritizing the assessment allows for a structured approach to problem-solving tailored specifically to the client's situation.