AIRS I&R Community Resource Specialists Practice Exam

Identify a common challenge faced by information and referral specialists.

1. Meeting community service demands

2. Keeping up-to-date with changes in community resources

3. Providing face-to-face services only

4. Increasing the use of printed materials

The correct answer is: Keeping up-to-date with changes in community resources

Keeping up-to-date with changes in community resources is indeed a common challenge faced by information and referral specialists. The landscape of community services is constantly evolving due to factors such as policy changes, funding availability, new programs being introduced, and existing services being modified or discontinued. This dynamic nature requires specialists to engage in continuous learning and relationship-building with local agencies to ensure that the information they provide is accurate and relevant. Failure to stay informed can lead to misinformation, which can negatively impact the individuals seeking assistance and the overall efficacy of the referral process. While meeting community service demands is also a challenge, it often stems from the resources available rather than the specialist's knowledge of those resources. Providing face-to-face services only is not a typical challenge, as many specialists operate in various formats, including over the phone or online. Lastly, increasing the use of printed materials is not generally a challenge for specialists, as the trend has moved more toward digital resources in recent years, making printed materials less central to their work.