Health Care for the Homeless Health Centers (HCHs) and Medical Respite Care (MRC) programs serve consumers with different kinds of housing-related social needs. However, while HCHs and MRC programs are ideal places to begin addressing needs for consumers who are transitioning into (or preparing to transition into) housing, it is very challenging to do so when a community’s health and housing providers are siloed and when local resources are limited.
In this 2025 Learning Collaborative, we will explore how HCHs and MRC programs can build capacity for addressing housing-related needs through strong partnerships with community organizations (Continuums of Care and other local homelessness entities, shelter systems, housing case management, for example). With National Health Care for the Homeless Council faculty and peers from around the country, participants will identify specific steps they will take to initiate or strengthen existing health & housing partnerships. This will include opportunities to share stories, unique challenges, and emerging practices from their prospective communities.
Participants in this Learning Collaborative will also have the option to create a partnership development plan to introduce or implement at their organizations.
Toward Better Housing Partnerships: How Health Centers and Medical Respite Programs Can Build Capacity to Address Housing-Related Needs
Eligibility: This Learning Collaborative is open to representatives of Health Centers (Federally Qualified Health Centers or Potential Health Center Grantees) and Medical Respite Care programs. If you are not one of the above, you may still apply. We will review the information you provide and may accept applications as space allows.
Fee: No cost/free
Commitment: Accepted LC applicants are asked to attend a total of four 90-minute learning sessions in January & February 2025. Meetings will be held over Zoom.
Session 1: Jan. 13, 2025, from 1:30-3 p.m. CST
Session 2: Jan. 27, 2025, from 1:30-3 p.m. CST
Session 3: Feb. 10, 2025, from 1:30-3 p.m. CST
Session 4: Feb. 24, 2025, from 1:30-3 p.m. CST
Expected Outcomes
By the end of the four-session Learning Collaborative, participants will:
- identify potential partners to support shared consumers during housing transitions.
- create a partnership plan for implementation at their Health Center or Medical Respite Care program.
- review strategies to plan for sustainable partnerships that support shared consumers during housing transition.
Session 1: Introduction to Housing and Health Partnerships
- Learning Collaborative Introduction
- Didactic: Introduction to housing systems and opportunities for partnership
- Guest Speaker Presentation: Why health providers can partner with housing providers
- Q&A
- Homework: Worksheet — brainstorming potential partners to meet housing-related need
Session 2: Planning for Successful Partnerships
- Group Reflection: Ideas for partnerships, Brainstorming reflection
- Didactic 1: Data- and consumer-informed decision-making. What are the biggest gaps? What partnerships do we need?
- Didactic 2: Aspects of successful partnerships
- Break out groups
- Homework: Worksheet — Partnership Needs Assessment
Session 3: Implementing Partnerships
- Group Reflection: Narrowing down partnerships of focus
- Didactic: Steps for establishing successful partnerships (building buy-in, agreements, trauma-informed partnerships)
- Guest Speaker Presentation: How partnerships are implemented
- Break out groups
- Homework— Building Up a Partnership Plan (Change Map)
Session 4: Sustainability
- Group Presentations: Discuss plans. Short and Long-term plans for partnerships
- Short Didactic: Tracking Progress, PDSA, Maintaining Partnerships
- Resources and training opportunities
This Learning Collaborative is open to representatives of Health Centers (Federally Qualified Health Centers or Potential Health Center Grantees) and Medical Respite Care programs. If you are not one of the above, you may still apply. We will review the information you provide and may accept applications as space allows.
Apply Now
Thank you for your interest in this Learning Collaborative. Please answer the following questions to help us get to know you and your program.
You may contact Joseph Kenkel, Research & Data Manager, with any questions at jkenkel@nhchc.org.
