The Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (GLFHC) provides medical care at 14 sites in Lawrence, Haverhill, and Tewksbury to individuals and families who are homeless. A primary objective of GLFHC is to ease the transition into an already existing health care system which includes outreach, health education, and case management.

Services

GLFHC’s Health Care for the Homeless model is a comprehensive care model which includes primary care assessment and treatment, referral, disease prevention and health education, client-centered case management, substance abuse counseling, outreach assistance, and transportation for clients needing referral to/linkage with other support services.

Mental health counseling is provided through a network of local programs, including CAB Health and Recovery Services. Those clients needing extensive assistance with substance abuse are linked to prevention, education, and counseling services offered locally. A small network of specialty care providers –podiatrists, dermatologists, ophthalmologists, dentists — see homeless clients on a pro bono basis.

24 hour emergency on-call, Acupuncturists, Asthma treatment, Basic Needs, Blood Pressure Monitoring, Cancer Screening, Case Management/Social Services, Child Development Services, Contraceptives (issued w/counseling), Diabetes Testing/Care, Electronic Medical Records, Family Planning, Flu Vaccinations, Health/Nutritional Education, HIV/AIDS screening/education, Immunizations, Interpretation services, Labs,  Medication Prescribing, Medication Dispensing, Mental Health Counseling, OB/GYN, Outreach, Pediatrics, Pharmacy, Physical Exams, Primary Health Care, Referrals for Specialty Care, Shelter outreach, STD Testing, Street Outreach, Tobacco cessation, Transportation services, Well Child Check-ups, Mammography

Linkages

GLFHC’s HCH program networks with local and State agencies that provide services for individuals who are homeless living in the Merrimack Valley. The Massachusetts State Departments of Mental Health, Public Health, Social Services, and Transitional Assistance. Local agencies include shelters, drop-in centers, soup kitchens, detoxification sites, AIDS coalitions, community action councils, family social service agencies, mental health providers, boards of health, violence prevention programs, and community hospitals. Homeless services are also coordinated with GLFHC-sponsored programs, including Northeast Center for Healthy Communities, which provides consultation on health needs and interventions in 53 communities north of Boston. Expansion of GLFHC’s services has led to a collaborative initiative with CAB Health and Recovery Services, which provides a continuum of substance abuse prevention and treatment services outside the traditional health care system.

Statistics

Estimated homeless population: 4,500

Patients served: 2,260