What is one of the hallmark characteristics of case management?

Advocacy is a hallmark characteristic of case management because it involves representing and supporting the individual’s needs and preferences in the service delivery system. Case managers work to empower clients, ensuring they have access to necessary resources, support systems, and services. This advocacy can manifest in various forms, such as helping clients navigate complex healthcare and social service systems, securing funding or treatment options, or providing emotional support during challenging times.

While cooperation, clinical proficiency, and stabilization are also important aspects of effective case management, they are not as central to its definition as advocacy. Cooperation pertains to collaboration among different service providers, clinical proficiency refers to the knowledge and skills required to deliver effective services, and stabilization relates to helping clients achieve a level of stability in their lives. These elements support the advocacy process but do not encompass its essence as effectively as advocating for the client's rights, needs, and wishes does.