National Health Center Week is here! We’re celebrating the essential role Community Health Centers (CHCs) play in improving public health, including their role in addressing other social drivers of health.
Nationally, CHCs serve more than 1.3 million patients experiencing homelessness each year.
According to the Health Center Advocacy Network, people without homes endure higher rates of chronic and acute disease, behavioral health conditions, and other needs that make them particularly vulnerable to poor health, disability, and early death.
CHCs provide high-quality, comprehensive primary and behavioral health care, case management, and other supportive services to meet the needs of people who lack stable housing.
National Health Center Week is a time highlight that CHCs provide tailored services and outreach to the communities they serve, including for people experiencing homelessness. CHPW was founded and is served by 21 CHCs throughout Washington State. Here is just some of the work they are doing to support the total health of their patients experiencing homelessness:
Seattle Roots Community Health, HealthPoint (CHC), Neighborcare Health partner with the National Health Care for the Homeless Council network to bring non-judgmental and personalized health care to families and individuals in Seattle who are enduring homelessness.
Learn more here: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dph/health-safety/health-centers-programs-services/health-services-for-the-homeless/healthcare-for-the-homeless
CHAS Health has outreach teams to assist people experiencing homelessness in Spokane and surrounding areas.
Learn more at https://chas.org/get-care/homeless-outreach/
Unity Care NW‘s Way Station is a new facility that aims to provide a comprehensive range of services for individuals experiencing homelessness in Whatcom County.
Learn more at https://unitycarenw.org/the-way-station/
Neighborcare Health nurses partner with Evergreen Treatment Services’ REACH program to connect with clients wherever they are.
Learn more at https://neighborcare.org/services/homeless-and-housing/
Community Health Center of Snohomish County (CHC) provides care to people experiencing homelessness in Snohomish County, and its mission is to provide safety net care to this underserved community.
Learn more at mychpw.info/CHCSnoHomeless
CHPW and the dedicated professionals at CHCs work together to reach beyond the walls of a doctor’s office to address whole-person care such as safe housing, transportation, access to nutritious foods, in addition to other social drivers of health.
National Health Center Week is a project of the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC).
