Tapping into Health Resources for Homeless Families Susan Kline, MN ARNP Health Care for the Homeless Network Public Health – Seattle & King County February 9, 2007
Structure of Seattle-King County HCHN Program
Reduce the barriers to care and assure access Meet clients where they’re at….. –Location –Address the health concerns clients identify (patient/client-centered) Assure patients’ (health) safety
Our Current Response : Multidisciplinary Approach to Care Shelter staff get training on lice, TB, first aid, cleaning up bodily fluids, etc. from HCH Public Health Nurse
Acutely Homeless Chronically Homeless Securely Housed Acute Health NeedsHealth Maintenance Health Promotion Approach to Health Care CrisisSecurity
Current HCHN Programs by Subpopulation
Public Health Programs Public Health Nurses –Perinatal – 12 Months Services Maternity Support Services Best Beginnings (First Time Parents) –Children with Special Health Care Needs Moms Plus (Pregnant & Parenting Women with Addictions) Northwest Family Center (Pregnant & Parenting Women with HIV/AIDS)
Public Health Programs WIC Nutrition Program Primary Care Clinics Dental Clinics TB Clinic Reproductive Health Clinics STD Clinic School-Based Health Centers
Public Health Programs Environmental Health Food Handlers Certificates Emergency Preparedness Communicable Disease Tobacco Cessation Nutrition Education Healthy Homes Project (Asthma)
Strengths Rich array of services Many health care agencies are involved in the effort to serve homeless people. Challenges Avoiding duplication of service Communicating what is available Creating an integrated system Future Direction – Transition services from emergency shelter-based model to a housing first model
Public Health Seattle & King County General HCHNwww.metrokc.gov/health/hchn Recommended Shelter Health and Safety Best Practice Guidelines An Influenza Pandemic Planning Guide for Homeless and Housing Service Providers National National Health Care for the Homeless Council
Locate Health Care Clinics (HCH Programs) Find a Health Center (Bureau of Primary Health Care) Information & Referral Health Information American Academy of Family Physicians American Academy of Pediatrics Medline Plus