# Managing Connections

We find that many times, it is important to record relationships between people in your client management system. This could include personal relationships as well as any other type of connection between people.

**Maica** offers a powerful way to capture and manage this for you, we call it `Connections`. The easiest way to access `Connections` is via the `Participant` profile under `Related`.

{% hint style="info" %}
Most of the time `Connections` can be found under `Related` but your team can change where this appears by customising your [Salesforce Page Layouts](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=customize_layout.htm\&language=en_US\&type=5). 
{% endhint %}

Before we get started with describing how `Connections` work in more detail, here are some useful things to know about this feature.

* `Connections` are reciprocal which means we will create a corresponding `Connection` for both Contacts
* You can create your own `Connection` types beyond what Maica offers out of the box simply by using our [Settings](https://kb.maica.com.au/general-information/client-management-settings/connections-management) page.  

{% hint style="info" %}
Go to the [Managing Connections](https://kb.maica.com.au/general-information/client-management-settings/connections-management) settings page to learn more about setting up Connection Types.
{% endhint %}

We have shown you below what a typical `Connections` record might look like on a `Participant` profile.

<figure><img src="https://558904096-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FKdn9R0jFmixyPeVowFpF%2Fuploads%2FyCv3fJlM5KLbAyOfJLYZ%2FConnections1.png?alt=media&#x26;token=6bdb2176-e1b5-452a-bebb-d7f353562126" alt=""><figcaption><p>Connections Related List</p></figcaption></figure>

In order to create a new `Connection`, simply click the `New` button and complete the following fields:

* **Contact**: **Maica** auto-populates this field with the name of the Contact the `Connection` record is connected to.
* **Related Contact**: Specifies the Contact who's related to the person in the Contact field.
* **Type**: Specifies how the Related Contact is connected to the Contact. In the below example, Andrew Milne is Luca Milne's parent.
* **Status**: Specifies whether this is a current or former `Connection`.
* **Connection Explanation**: Maica provides you with an English explanation of the `Connection`.
* **Reciprocal Connection**: this is the `Connection` for the **Related Contact** for easy access.

<figure><img src="https://558904096-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FKdn9R0jFmixyPeVowFpF%2Fuploads%2FV29EizmxPQPFeH2yD9sO%2FConnections2.png?alt=media&#x26;token=180917b6-8e3e-474b-a5d6-0e8c1ffdd7c2" alt=""><figcaption><p>A typical Connection record</p></figcaption></figure>

Once these fields have been populated, a few additional options are available for you to record, including:

* **Primary Contact**: When this option is selected, Maica will display the Related Contact on the `Participant` profile for ease of access to critical information. We have shown you a sample of this at the bottom of this article.
* **Next of Kin**: Specifies that the Related Contact is the `Next of Kin` for the Contact.
* **Description**: A place to add additional information about the `Connection`.
* **Statement Recipient**: Specifies that the Related Contact is the recipient of the [Statement](https://kb.maica.com.au/ndis-management/participant-statement).
* **Invoice Recipient**: Specifies that the Related Contact is the recipient of the [Invoice](https://kb.maica.com.au/ndis-management/invoice-management/invoice-overview) for self managed Service Agreements.

<figure><img src="https://558904096-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FKdn9R0jFmixyPeVowFpF%2Fuploads%2FVtur14IzIbQIpAcF6VRa%2FPrimary%20Contact.png?alt=media&#x26;token=c021323b-f7c9-4b44-b025-9ecf52ca1621" alt=""><figcaption><p>The Primary Contact shown on the Participant profile</p></figcaption></figure>