The Health Care for the Homeless Project of Thundermist Health Center provides health care, case management, educational services, behavioral health/substance abuse counseling, and linkages to mental health and substance abuse agencies for homeless individuals living in northern Rhode Island, Central Rhode Island, South County, RI and south central Massachusetts.

Services

Direct primary health care is provided by a nurse practitioner in satellite clinics at a local homeless shelter, a shelter serving female survivors of domestic violence and trauma, two substance abuse residential homes, and at the health center. HCH clients may be referred to the health center for prenatal care, WIC, and dental services.

Clients have 24 hour access to health center physicians who have full privileges at the local hospital. Substance abuse and mental health screenings are conducted and referrals are made. Education is provided in the areas of health, nutrition, mental health, substance abuse, parenting, and high risk social behaviors. Social services include counseling, case management, and client advocacy. A therapeutic activity program for children and their parents, through a collaboration of local agencies, is available on an as-needed basis. Behavioral health and substance abuse counseling are available on-site at all facilities.

24 hour emergency on-call, Asthma treatment, Basic Needs, Behavioral/Mental Health Care Services, Blood Pressure Monitoring, Cancer Screening, Case Management/Social Services, Contraceptives (issued w/counseling), Dental/oral Care, Diabetes Testing/Care, Documenting Disability Services, Domestic Violence services, 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, Pediatrics, Pharmacy, Physical Exams, Primary Health Care, Referrals for Specialty Care, Services in permanent supportive housing, Shelter outreach, Specialty Care, STD Testing, Substance Abuse Treatment, TB screening/education, Tobacco cessation, Well Child Check-ups, X-rays

Linkages

The program has linkages with Sojourner House, Tri-Hab, “Because He Lives” Soup Kitchen, Northern RI Community Mental Health Center, and Family Resources Community Action.

Statistics

Estimated homeless population: 2,200

Patients served: 1,400