Harris Health System—Health Care for the Homeless Program overcomes obstacles faced by persons experiencing homelessness by providing patient-centered health care utilizing a service delivery model that provides health care clinics in homeless shelters and other sites where the homeless congregate to meet basic survival needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and employment. Currently, the HCHP provides health care, mental health counseling, psychiatry, dental services, laboratory services, pharmaceuticals, case management, social service information and referrals, and entitlement assistance onsite at multiple homeless shelters and day centers. A mobile health van unit and one mobile dental van unit provide additional services through a street outreach service delivery model. Harris Health System and HCHP use an integrated electronic medical record system, allowing off-site medical providers and team members to have instant access to progress notes, test results, referrals, and messaging.

Services

24 hour emergency on-call, Asthma treatment, Basic Needs, Behavioral/Mental Health Care Services, Black Lung Treatment, Blood Pressure Monitoring, Cancer Screening, Case Management/Social Services, Child Development Services, Chronic Bronchitis/Emphysema, Contraceptives (issues w/counseling), Dental/oral care, Diabetes Testing/Care, Documenting Disability Services, Domestic Violence services, Electronic Medical Records, Family Planning, Financial counseling, Flu Vaccinations, Health/Nutritional Education, HIV/AIDS screening/education, Housing Placement, Immunizations, Interpretation services, Labs, Medication Prescribing, Medication Dispensing, Mental Health Counseling, Mobile Medical Services, OB/GYN, Outreach, Pediatrics, Pharmacy, Physical Exams, Primary Health Care, Referrals for Specialty Care, Services in permanent supportive housing, Shelter outreach, Specialty Care, STD Testing, Street Outreach, Substance Abuse Treatment, TB screening/education, Tobacco cessation, Urgent Care, Well Child Check-ups, X-rays

Linkages

Linkages include the Houston Health and Human Services Immunization, Lead, and HIV/AIDS programs; Houston TB Control Program; Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County; Saint Luke’s Episcopal Charities Mobile Health Forum; Texas Department of Health Vaccines for Children’s Program; Prevent Blindness; American Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans; Sickle Cell Foundation; New Directions; Crossroads Day Center; Loaves and Fishes; Bay Area Center for the Homeless; Worker’s Co-Op; SEHAH Youth Foundation; Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services; Texas Cooperative Extension Services Program; March of Dimes; Greater Houston Area Health Education Center; Texas Primary Care Association; National HCH Council; International Mobile Health Association; Harmony House; Crossroads; Impact; Jackson Hinds Gardens; Northline SRO; Lord of the Streets; Loaves and Fishes; Operation ID; Turning Point; U.S. Vets Initiative; The Workers’ Co-Op #1 and #2; Houston Area Agency on Aging; Texas Workfoce Commission; Mission of Yahweh; Casa Maria

Statistics

Estimated homeless population: 10,000 – 20,000

Patients served: 10,836 in 2018

Subcontractors

Baylor College of Medicine Department of Family and Community Medicine

Contact:

Brian Reed

Email:

breed@bcm.edu

CENIKOR Foundation, Inc.

Contact:

Bill Bailey

Phone:

(281) 476-0088 

Fax:

(281) 476-5581

COMPASS

Contact:

Cynthia Brannon

Phone:

(713) 229-8319

Craven & Plummer, P.C.

Contact:

Moritz Craven, DDS / Matthew Plummer, DDS 

Phone:

(713) 523-1010 

Fax:

(713) 523-6677

Houston Catholic Worker

Contact:

Mark and Louise Zwick 

Phone:

(713) 869-7376

Salvation Army – Adult Rehabilitation Center

Contact:

David Sayre 

Phone:

(713) 869-3551

Salvation Army – Harbor Light

Contact:

Fred Smith 

Phone:

(713) 224-2875

Salvation Army – Sally’s House 

Contact:

Gay McCurdy 

Phone:

(713) 223-8889

Salvation Army – Women and Family Center 

Contact:

Charmaine Smith 

Phone:

(713) 739-7752

Service of the Emergency Aid Resource Center for the Homeless (S.E.A.R.C.H.)

Contact:

Sandy Kesseler 

Phone:

(713) 739-7706

Star of Hope – Men’s Shelter

Contact:

Gary Brown 

Phone:

(713) 227-7827

Star of Hope – Transitional Living Center

Contact:

Randall Tabor 

Phone:

(713) 748-0700 

Fax:

(713) 748-0891

Star of Hope – Women and Family Shelter

Contact:

Edward Black 

Phone:

(713) 222-2220 

Fax:

(713) 222-1046