Our Staff The principal office of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council is in Nashville, Tennessee. Staff and contractors pursue our ambitious agenda in research, training, education, organizing, and advocacy from offices in various locations. Staff members include: Bobby Watts, MPH, MS, CPH Chief Executive Officer G. Robert “Bobby” Watts is the chief executive officer of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council and oversees all aspects of the Council’s activity in advocacy, training, technical assistance, research, peer support, organizing, and fund development. A nationally recognized advocate and leader in meeting the health needs of people without homes, he has more than 25 years of experience in administration, direct service, and implementation of homeless health services. He began his work with people experiencing homelessness as a live-in staff member of the New York City Rescue Mission in Manhattan. Learn more about Bobby. Contact Information Phone Number: (615) 226-2292 | Email Address: bwatts@nhchc.org Hugo Aguas, MA Research Associate Hugo works with the research team to research health outcomes using data driven methodologies, Hugo collaborates with other community health partners throughout the country to develop educational materials pertaining to medical care for those experiencing homelessness. Hugo also disseminates data and provides ease-of-access to community partners throughout the nation, and assists in writing publications and scheduling educational seminars on public health amongst those experiencing homelessness. Contact Information Phone Number: (615) 226-2292 | Email Address: haguas@nhchc.org Lauryn Berner, MSW, MPH Research Manager Lauryn works with the research team to support the Health Care for the Homeless field by developing and disseminating knowledge, increasing visibility of HCH-related research through publications and external collaborations, and providing data-driven support to inter-departmental teams and workgroups. Lauryn serves as the Council’s subject matter expert on housing and HIV, and her work has focused on the social determinants of health. Contact Information Phone Number: (615) 226-2292, Ext. 230 | Email Address: lberner@nhchc.org Alaina Boyer, PhD Director of Research Alaina provides oversight and guidance for the research activities of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, which include quality improvement projects and providing educational resources for health care clinics that serve individuals experiencing homelessness. She coordinates and facilitates the Research Committee and Practice Based Research Network initiatives, which are currently focused on improving health outcomes and providing quality care across systems for vulnerable populations. Contact Information Phone Number: (615) 226-2292, Ext. 233 | Email Address: aboyer@nhchc.org Lily Catalano, BA Clinical Manager Lily coordinates the work of the Health Care for the Homeless Clinicians’ Network and develops resources to improve access to and quality of health care for people experiencing homelessness. Contact Information Phone Number: (615) 226-2292, Ext. 231 | Email Address: lcatalano@nhchc.org Katherine Cavanaugh, MSW Consumer Advocate Katherine staffs the National Consumer Advisory Board (NCAB), helps to coordinate consumer initiatives, and further develops Council relationships with local Consumer Advisory Boards (CABs). Contact Information Phone Number: (443) 703-1320 | Email Address: kcavanaugh@nhchc.org Andrea Crowe, MA Advancement Coordinator Andrea maintains the Council's donor and membership database; manages fundraising lists of individuals, organizations, and foundations; and provides a range of administrative services in the areas of philanthropy and member relations. Contact Information Phone Number: (615) 226-2292, Ext. 234 | Email Address: acrowe@nhchc.org Brandon de la Cruz, MM Media and Technology Manager Brandon manages media-based communication activities for the Council -- including webinars, videography, photography, and music production -- and provides guidance and support for information technology services. Contact Information Phone Number: (615) 226-2292, Ext. 249 | Email Address: bdelacruz@nhchc.org Barbara DiPietro, PhD Senior Director of Policy Barbara directs the policy and advocacy activities for the National Health Care for the Homeless Council. This includes conducting policy analysis, providing educational materials and presentations to a broad range of policymakers and other stakeholders, coordinating the Council’s policy priorities with national partners, and organizing staff assistance to the Policy Committee and the National Consumer Advisory Board. Contact Information Phone Number: (443) 703-1346 | Email Address: bdipietro@nhchc.org Jennifer Dix, BBA Communications Coordinator Jenn provides assistance with the Council’s marketing and branding efforts. This includes supporting effective communication strategies via email communications, newsletters, marketing materials, website content, and social media. Contact Information Phone Number: (615) 226-2292, Ext. 225 | Email Address: jdix@nhchc.org Julia Dobbins, MSW Director of Medical Respite Care Julia joined the Council in 2012 and leads our work on medical respite care. She provides guidance and oversight for medical respite activities including training, technical assistance, and resource and program development. Additionally, she is the staff liaison to the Respite Care Providers’ Network (RCPN) and coordinates and facilitates the activities of the RCPN steering committee. Contact Information Phone Number: (615) 226-2292, Ext. 232 | Email Address: jdobbins@nhchc.org D. Michael Durham, MTS Community Engagement Manager Michael is responsible for strategic relationship-building and increasing representation of marginalized communities in all of the Council’s work. Leaning on these relationships, he coordinates the Council’s largely peer-to-peer technical assistance program, which provides support to health centers and other organizations serving people experiencing homelessness. He also supports the CEO in certain racial equity initiatives. Contact Information Phone Number: (615) 226-2292, Ext. 246 | Email Address: mdurham@nhchc.org Dorothy (Dott) Freeman, PhD Senior Director of Advancement Dott is the Council's Senior Director of Advancement and has more than 25 years of fundraising experience in a variety of areas, including service-oriented nonprofits, health care, and education. Heading the Council's Advancement Team, she leads our philanthropy, communications, membership, media, and technology initiatives. Contact Information Phone Number: (207) 333-8877 | Email Address: dfreeman@nhchc.org Melanie Harper, BA, LSSGB Director of Finance & Administration Melanie is responsible for oversight of all the financial and administrative functions of the Council and staffs the Finance & Personnel Committee. Contact Information Phone Number: (615) 226-2292, Ext. 229 | Email Address: mharper@nhchc.org Darlene Jenkins, DrPH Senior Director of Programs Darlene oversees the work of the Education and Research Teams. Contact Information Phone Number: (615) 226-2292, Ext. 228 | Email Address: djenkins@nhchc.org Joseph Kenkel, BS Research Assistant Joey works with the research team to support the Health Care for the Homeless field by developing and disseminating information, increasing visibility of HCH-related research through publications and external collaborations, and improving the HCH field and community’s capacity for quality improvement and engagement in research. Joey also performs activities aimed to increase the knowledge base, skill set, and resources of health center staff engaged in supportive housing initiatives in partnership with the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH). Contact Information Phone Number: (615) 226-2292, Ext. 226 | Email Address: jkenkel@nhchc.org Kelli Klein, BA Behavioral Health Coordinator Kelli provides technical assistance and supports the Council’s work on behavioral health and homelessness, focusing on the integration of behavioral health into primary care settings. She works specifically on the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Center of Excellence (CoE) for Behavioral Health Technical Assistance (BHTA), which includes the development and execution of webinars and peer learning opportunities through communities of practice. Contact Information Phone Number: (615) 226-2292, Ext. 247 | Email Address: kklein@nhchc.org Katie League, LCSW-C COVID-19 Project Manager (Policy Team) Katie works with the policy team to support the Council’s efforts surrounding the COVID-19 global pandemic. She works to identify and promote promising practices, common challenges, and key policy issues faced by the HCH community. Contact Information Phone Number: (615) 226-2292 | Email Address: kleague@nhchc.org Cindy Manginelli, BS Director of Community Engagement Cindy directs the Council’s efforts to engage and create a diverse community of individuals, coalitions, and programs that directly address issues at the intersection of homelessness and health care. She also manages the Council’s ongoing work to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the community of those who experience and address homelessness. Contact Information Phone Number: (615) 226-2292, Ext. 239 | Email Address: cmanginelli@nhchc.org Julia Nettles-Clemons, BA Administrative Coordinator Julia has a variety of responsibilities in the areas of finance and administration that include accounts receivable and accounts payable, office maintenance, clerical work, operations, and database support. Contact Information Phone Number: (615) 226-2292, Ext. 221| Email Address: jnettles@nhchc.org Courtney Pladsen, DNP, FNP-BC, RN Director of Clinical and Quality Improvement Courtney leads initiatives to improve the delivery of primary care, substance use treatment, and mental health care nationally. She directs training and quality improvement initiatives, and contributes to research and policy recommendations on emerging clinical issues affecting people experiencing homelessness. Contact Information Phone Number: (615) 226-2292 | Email Address: cpladsen@nhchc.org Brett Poe, BS Research Associate Brett works with the research team to support the Health Care for the Homeless field by developing and disseminating information, increasing visibility of HCH-related research through publications and external collaborations, and providing data-driven support to inter-departmental teams and workgroups. Contact Information Phone Number: (615) 226-2292, Ext. 242 | Email Address: bpoe@nhchc.org Regina Reed, MPH Health Policy Manager Regina is responsible for representing the interests of the Council to policymakers and organizational partners in Washington, D.C., working with the Policy Committee to advance the Council’s advocacy agenda, developing policy positions and analyses, and mobilizing member organizations, service providers, and other advocates to end poverty and homelessness. Contact Information Phone Number: (443) 703-1337 | Email Address: rreed@nhchc.org Caitlin Synovec, OTD, OTR/L, BCMH Medical Respite Manager Caitlin is an occupational therapist with clinical experience working with adults experiencing homelessness to improve quality of life and engagement in their preferred communities. As the Medical Respite Manager, she works with the Director of Medical Respite on projects of the National Institute for Medical Respite Care (NIMRC) and the Respite Care Providers’ Network (RCPN). Contact Information Phone Number: (615) 226-2292 | Email Address: csynovec@nhchc.org Cecilia Willoughby, BA Training and Meetings Coordinator Cecilia manages logistics and educational content for the Council’s major training events, including our annual National Health Care for the Homeless Conference and Policy Symposium, Regional Training, and Governing Membership Meeting. She serves as the point person for these major training events working in concert with the Director of Finance and Administration, Administrators Committee, other staff members, and other stakeholders. Contact Information Phone Number: (615) 226-2292, Ext. 241 | Email Address: cwilloughby@nhchc.org Cecilia Willoughby, BA Training and Meetings Coordinator Cecilia manages logistics and educational content for the Council’s major training events, including our annual National Health Care for the Homeless Conference and Policy Symposium, Regional Training, and Governing Membership Meeting. She serves as the point person for these major training events working in concert with the Director of Finance and Administration, Administrators Committee, other staff members, and other stakeholders. Contact Information Phone Number: (615) 226-2292, Ext. 241 | Email Address: cwilloughby@nhchc.org Terri Woodmore, MS Communications Manager As part of the advancement team, Terri develops and coordinates ongoing communications and media strategies, and maintains high-quality communications including mass emails, newsletters, marketing materials, website design and content, social media, and audio/video packages. Contact Information Phone Number: (615) 226-2292, Ext. 245 | Email Address: twoodmore@nhchc.org Brenda Wright Executive Assistant Brenda serves as Executive Assistant to the CEO and is responsible for Board meeting preparation, special projects, and administrative support including scheduling, preparing executive documents and correspondence, managing travel itineraries, maintaining files, and other administrative duties. Contact Information Phone Number: (615) 226-2292, Ext. 251 | Email Address: bwright@nhchc.org Search for: COVID-19 Join Donate FollowFollow COVID-19 and People Experiencing Homelessness Resources and Guidance ; Our COVID-19 CommitmentPeople experiencing homelessness are particularly vulnerable in the COVID-19 pandemic, and the NHCHC is creating resources and collecting guidance to help meet their needs during this evolving crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic is evolving quickly, and new resources are emerging daily. This regularly updated page features key guidance and resources from the NHCHC, our partners, federal agencies, and frontline providers from the Health Care for the Homeless community. If you know of relevant guidance not represented here or if we can help you with technical assistance, please contact Technical Assistance Manager Michael Durham. For press inquiries, please contact contact Rick Brown, Communications Manager. Stay Informed Subscribe to our mailing list to receive regular updates on people without homes and COVID-19. Thank you for signing up! You will now receive emails from the National Health Care for the Homeless Council. First Name Last Name Email Subscribe Council Resources & Guidance Join us every Tuesday and Friday for interactive discussions with providers and experts leading response efforts for COVID-19. NEW: Community Info Exchange CIE: Using Data to Coordinate Care for People Without Homes: Addressing COVID & Beyond COVID & Homeless Populations COVID-19 & the HCH Community: Needed Policy Responses for a High-Risk Group Public Health & Emergency SystemsCOVID-19 & the HCH Community: Needed Actions from Public Health and Emergency Response Systems Harm Reduction in Alternate Care Sites Reducing Harm for People Using Drugs & Alcohol During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Guide for ACS Programs Diabetes & Coronavirus Things to Do During the COVID-19 Crisis If You Have Diabetes Policy & Advocacy for COVID-19Policy Issues and Responses Necessary for People Experiencing Homelessness in COVID-19 Visual Guidance for Providers in HCH Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Homeless Shelters and Homeless Service Providers Quick Guidance for EncampmentsResponding to COVID-19 Among People Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness Personal Protective Equipment How to Use Personal Protective Equipment: A Quick Reference Guide for Frontline Clinical Providers Our COVID-19 Blog Our Continuing Series on How the HCH Community Is Responding to COVID Shareable Infographics Visual Resources to Illustrate COVID-19’s Impact COVID-19 Videos & Webinars Recent Informational Videos, Coffee Chats, Town Halls, and Other Discussions Federal, National, and Local Guidance Introductory Information Blank COVID-19 and Homeless Populations Guidance from Federal Agencies Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Coronavirus Disease 2019: landing page with key information and updates CDC: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Summary CDC: Interim Guidance for Homeless Service Providers to Plan and Respond to COVID-19 CDC: FAQ on Homelessness CDC: Information on People Experiencing Homelessness CDC: About Coronavirus Disease 2019: symptoms, prevention, and treatment Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): General Information and Resources HUD: Infectious Disease Preparedness Webinar with HUD, CDC, NHCHC, and Seattle-King County HUD: Infectious Disease Toolkit for CoCs Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA): Coronavirus (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions HRSA: Emergency Preparedness and Recovery Resources for Health Centers webpage Department of Health and Human Services: Coronavirus Resources (Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response) Guidance from National Organizations COVID-19 Resource Guide (Homebase) Corporation for Supportive Housing: Resources for care coordination and supportive housing Beyond the Food Pantry: COVID-19 Response for Students Who are Homeless or With Experience in Foster Care (SchoolHouse Connection) Guidance from Local Programs Our Washington colleagues at Seattle-King County’s Health Care for the Homeless network are at the epicenter of the US outbreak and are rapidly and continuously producing guidance for service providers. Follow their webpage closely for regularly updated resources, such as a COVID-19 Preparedness Planning Guide, Interim Guidance on COVID-19 for Homeless Service Providers, Response Assessments, Sanitation and Hygiene Guides, and more. Coronavirus FAQ (Valley Homeless Healthcare Program of Santa Clara County, CA) Health Care for the Homeless COVID-related guidance (Alameda County Health Care for the Homeless, Alameda County, CA) COVID-19 and Homelessness Resource Guide (Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, Hartford, CA) Coronavirus FAQ (Valley Homeless Healthcare Program of Santa Clara County, CA) Related guidance and other documents (Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority) All COVID-related policies: scroll down for homeless- and health-related guidance (Western New York Law Center, New York) Resources for People Without Homes Guidance from Federal Agencies People Experiencing Homelessness: numerous information flyers aimed at consumers (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Information for people experiencing homelessness (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Guidance from National Organizations FAQ from National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) COVID-19 Guidance for People Who Use Substances (Yale Program in Addiction Medicine) COVID-19 Guidance for People Engaged in Substance Use Treatment (Yale Program in Addiction Medicine) Guidance from Local Programs Information for people who are homeless and use drugs (courtesy of the Homeless Youth Alliance in San Francisco) “How do you wash your hands when…?” (from Western Regional Advocacy Project) Clinical Response to COVID-19 Blank Alternative Care Sites Guidance from Federal Agencies Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Guidance for Alternate Care Sites and Isolation Sites Guidance from Local Programs Guidance: Referring Persons Experiencing Homelessness with COVID-19 Symptoms But Not Yet Diagnosed with COVID-19 Disease to Isolation in Individual Hotel Rooms (Heartland Alliance Health in Chicago, IL) Operation Comfort: Alameda County Emergency Hotel Shelter Handbook (Alameda County, CA) Cleaning and Disinfection Guidance from Federal Agencies Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations Establishing Isolation and Quarantine Guidance from Federal Agencies Department of Housing and Urban Development: Non-Congregate Approaches to Sheltering for COVID-19 Homeless Response Guidance from Local Programs Columbus, OH: Guidelines for establishing hotel/motels as isolation, quarantine, respite or emergency shelters (Coalition on Homeless and Housing in Ohio) Harm Reduction and Substance Use Disorders Guidance from Federal Agencies Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA): Updated FAQs for Opioid Use Disorder Prescribing and Dispensing in the COVID-19 Emergency SAMHSA: Buprenorphine and Telemedicine COVID-19 Guidance Guidance from National Organizations Harm Reduction Coalition: Guidance for People Who Use Drugs and Harm Reduction Programs Yale Program in Addiction Medicine: COVID-19 Guidance for Clinicians & Opioid Treatment Programs Preventing and Mitigating the Spread of COVID-19 Guidance from Federal Agencies Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Preventing and Managing the Spread of Infectious Disease for People Experiencing Homelessness HUD: Preventing and Managing the Spread of Infectious Disease within Shelters HUD: Specific Considerations for Public Health Authorities to Limit Infection Risk Among People Experiencing Homelessness HUD: Questions to Assist CoCs and Public Health Authorities to Limit the Spread of Infectious Disease in Homeless Programs HUD: Infectious Disease Toolkit for CoCs Guidance from Local Programs Interim Guidance: Preventing Spread of COVID-19 among Persons Experiencing Homelessness (San Francisco Department of Public Health, CA) Shelters and Other Congregate-Living Facilities Federal Agencies Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): COVID-19: Shelter Management During an Infectious Disease Outbreak (also en Español) HUD: Preventing and Managing the Spread of Infectious Disease within Shelters Local Programs Coronavirus guidance for congregate living facilities (Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, CA) Testing, Screening, and Persons Under Investigation Guidance from Federal Agencies Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Screening Clients for Respiratory Infection Symptoms at Entry to Homeless Shelters Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): COVID-19: How to Screen Clients Upon Entry to Shelter or Opportunity Centers CDC: Evaluating and Reporting Persons Under Investigation (PUI) Guidance from Local Programs COVID Homeless Screener with Temperature and Screening Supply List (Heartland Alliance Health) Patient attestation forms: English and Spanish (Boston Public Health Commission, Boston, MA) Guidance: Referring Persons Experiencing Homelessness with COVID-19 Positive Test Results (Heartland Alliance Health, Chicago, IL) Guidance on the Discharge of High-Risk COVID-19 Persons Under Investigation (PUI) or Confirmed Cases (Chicago Department of Public Health, Chicago, IL) COVID-19 Client Triage Tool: Atlanta CoC Example (Atlanta, GA) Medical Respite Care Guidance from Local Programs Edward Thomas House Medical Respite COVID-19 (C-19) Protocol (Seattle & King County, WA) Edward Thomas House: Medical Respite Webinar and Resources (Seattle & King County, WA) COVID-19 Respite Facility for People Experiencing Homelessness (City of New Haven, CT) Personal Protective Equipment Guidance from Federal Agencies Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): PPE: Recommendation Regarding the Use of Cloth Face Coverings CDC: Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of PPE Guidance from National Organizations The DIY Face Shield Project: Improvising PPE Outreach to Encampments Guidance from Federal Agencies Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Preventing and Managing the Spread of Infectious Disease within Encampments CDC: COVID-19: Essential Services for Encampments During an Infectious Disease Outbreak CDC: Interim Guidance for Responding to COVID-19 among People Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness Guidance from National Organizations Street Medicine Institute: Street Medicine Practice During the COVID-19 Epidemic Guidance from Local Programs Pandemic Handbook for Outreach Workers Visiting Encampments (Neighborhood Health, Nashville, TN) Funding Considerations Blank Medicaid and Funding Sources Guidance from Federal Agencies Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): Families First Coronavirus Response Act – Increased FMAP FAQs CMS: Individual State Medicaid 1135 Waivers Department of Housing and Urban Development: Regulatory Waivers for CoC, ESG, and HOPWA Programs Emerging Research Blank Academic Studies Epidemiology of COVID-19 among People Experiencing Homelessness: Early Evidence from Boston (Research by Travis P. Baggett, Elizabeth Lewis, and Jessie M. Gaeta) COVID-19 Outbreak at a Large Homeless Shelter in Boston: Implications for Universal Testing (Research by Travis P. Baggett, Harrison Keyes, Nora Sporn, and Jessie M. Gaeta) Estimated Emergency and Observational/Quarantine Capacity Need for the US Homeless Population Related to COVID-19 Exposure by County; Projected Hospitalizations, Intensive Care Units and Mortality (Research by Dennis Culhane, Dan Treglia, Ken Steif, Randall Kuhn, & Thomas Byrne – March 25, 2020) Community-level COVID-19 Homelessness Planning & Response Dashboard (Dashboard based on research report) Leung, C. et al. (2008). Homelessness and the Response to Emerging Infectious Disease Outbreaks: Lessons from SARS. Journal of Urban Health 85 (3): 402-410. Social Justice, Equity, and Self-Care Blank Equity and Social Justice in Crisis Response CSH blog by Pascale Leon An Equitable Systems Transformation Framework for COVID-19 from National Innovation Services COVID-19 – Racial Equity & Social Justice Resources from Racial Equity Tools Central City Concern internal guidance Oregon health authority recommendations An Invitation to Center Race in Government Responses to COVID-19 by Living Cities CDC Statement on Reducing Stigma Strategies for racial equity in COVID-19 response Self-Care in Crisis Coronavirus Anxiety Workbook from the Wellness Society Mindfulness in the Time of Crisis podcast from C4 Innovations Infectious Diseases and Emergency Preparedness Blank Responding to Diseases and Crises Guidance from Federal Agencies Health Resources and Services Administration: Emergency Preparedness and Recovery Resources for Health Centers Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Emerging Infectious Diseases Guidance from National Organizations National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC): Cover Your Cough Flyer (English) NHCHC: Cover Your Cough Flyer (Spanish) NHCHC: Did You Wash Your Hands Flyer NHCHC: National HCH Council Emergency Preparedness Resources Influenza Pandemic Influenza Guidance for Homeless Shelters & Homeless Service Providers (2009) | The National Health Care for the Homeless Council developed this practical manual for homeless shelters and other service providers as they plan for and respond to the special needs of people without homes during the influenza season. Different facilities will need to tailor the guidance to meet the specific needs of their staff and the people they serve. The manual consolidates a number of materials developed by credible authorities. CDC Pandemic Influenza Plan Template for Primary Care Provider Offices Influenza chapter from The Health Care of Homeless Persons Join the Council Make A Donation Get Assistance Contact Us Our Networks Respite Care Providers' NetworkNational Consumer Advisory BoardHCH Clinicians' Network Get Involved Join Our Organization Donate to Our Cause Subscribe to Receive our latest eNewsletter Success! Email Sign Up Now This website is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $1,967,147 with 20 percent financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov. Copyright © 2021 National Health Care for the Homeless Council, Inc. 604 Gallatin Ave., Suite 106 | Nashville, TN 37206 | (615) 226-2292 Privacy and Payment Policies FollowFollowFollow
