California Code, Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 9251

(1) Consumer information delivered over the Internet, by telephone, including a statewide information hotline, or in person.

(2) Referral to programs or services delivered over the Internet, by telephone, including a statewide information telephone hotline, or in person.

(3) Short-term assistance for the consumer or caregiver, provided by persons qualified to work with the consumer to define needs, to refer the consumer to services that are free of charge or that may be purchased by the consumer, and to develop a plan of coordinated care.

(4) Recognition of the need for ongoing assistance, with the ability to link consumers to ongoing assistance, care coordination, services coordination, or case management.

(c)(1) The term “care navigator” describes an individual who provides care navigation to older persons or persons with disabilities in need of long-term care services, or to caregivers.  Care navigators consider an individual's medical and functional needs, financial resources, and social support, in order to partner with the individual and, together, determine which services offered in the community are most appropriate for the consumer.  The intervention with the consumer may be limited, depending on the consumer's needs.

(2) Care navigation may be performed within existing programs and at multiple points of entry, including, but not limited to, area agencies on aging, independent living centers, county welfare departments, hospitals, caregiver resource centers, and senior centers.