Homeless Health Care

What Is Homelessness?

Community First Health Centers has been providing medical services for the homeless since 1988. As we've expanded our services to include vision, dental, and behavioral Health, we've also broadened our understanding of what homelessness looks like; and sometimes, you've been temporarily displaced. A person is considered homeless if he/she is living:

• With friends or relatives
• At a hotel or motel
• In a vehicle
• On the streets or in the woods
• In a shelter or warming center
• In a transitional or recovery home

Our Homeless Healthcare Program provides health services to the homeless population in Macomb and St. Clair Counties.  Offered services include primary medical care, preventive and emergency dental services, prescription coverage, substance abuse and mental health counseling, and referrals for obtaining additional services.

Community First Health Centers Homeless Health Care Program was incorporated in 1988 and has either directly provided or coordinated the provision of health and support services to the homeless population since that time.

The program currently receives federal funds through a Section 330, US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), as well as support from the Bureau of Primary Health Care Services (BPHC) Grant. In the mid 1990s, the grant was combined with the Community Health Center (CHC) Grant.

The mission of Homeless Health Care Program is to ensure that men, women, and children in the St. Clair and Macomb Counties area who are homeless will receive the quality health care and supportive services they need in order to live at the highest possible level of self-sufficiency. The Homeless Health Care Program strives to achieve this mission through numerous activities that include advocacy, outreach, prevention, public awareness, and collaborative relationships with other providers.

Guidelines:

Our eligibility requirements are simple – in order to qualify, your living arrangements must meet one of the above criteria, and you must be eligible to receive care in Macomb or St. Clair Counties. There is no income requirement to receive healthcare through this program.

Available Program Services:

The Homeless Healthcare Staff members are trained professionals dedicated to providing high-quality medical and support services to the homeless population in both Macomb and St. Clair Counties.  The staff includes eligibility specialists, licensed counselors, medical assistants, nurse practitioners, physicians, and additional support staff. The entire HHC team works tirelessly to provide all the following services:

Eligibility Specialist Services – Clients must meet with an Eligibility Specialist for program admission.  If a person meets program requirements, he/she will gain access to services necessary to achieve optimal health.  Eligibility Specialists remain available to clients throughout participation in the program.  To speak to an eligibility specialist now and enroll, please call:

-St. Clair County: 810.488.8000 ext. 310

- Macomb County: 586.749.5173 ext. 290

• Primary Health Care – Primary medical care is available to all clients within the Homeless Healthcare Program.  Services are offered in our clinics and also throughout the community at designated shelters and community service centers.  Services include physicals and evaluations, immunizations and vaccinations, care for chronic conditions, TB testing, wound care, health education services, and sick visits.
• Prescription Assistance – clients are able to received medications at a low cost.  All medications are prescribed by a physician or nurse practitioner.  We do not assist patients with obtaining narcotics.
• Substance Abuse & Mental Health Counseling – Counseling services are available based on need and provided by licensed professional staff.
• Dental and Vision services – Clients must be enrolled in the Homeless Healthcare Program to qualify for emergency and preventive dental and vision services.  Approval for services will be determined by the medical provider. Appointments will be scheduled and coordinated by Eligibility Specialists.

For scheduling information, please contact the county eligibility specialists at:

• St. Clair County: 810.488.8000 ext. 310
• Macomb County: 586.749.5173 ext. 290

Emergency Shelter Information

CALL 1-800 A SHELTER (anytime day or night) or contact one of the following shelters.

Macomb County

• Salvation Army M.A.T.T.S. Shelter, Warren: (call anytime day or night)
  (586) 755-5191
• McRest Shelter, Roseville: (call between 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm or leave a message)
  (586) 415-5101
• Turning Point Domestic Violence Shelter, Mt. Clemens: (call anytime day or night)
  (586) 469-6990
• Macomb County Warming Center, Mt. Clemens: (winter months only)
  (586) 321-0998
• Family Youth Interventions Child-Teen Shelter, Mt. Clemens: (586) 465-1212

St. Clair County:

• Pathway Shelter, Port Huron: (call anytime day or night)
  (810) 982-1020
• Blue Water Safe Horizons Domestic Violence Shelter, Port Huron: (call anytime day or night)
  (810) 985-5538; 24-hour crisis line (888) 985-5538
• The Harbor Child/Teen Shelter: (call anytime day or night)
  (810) 982-8584

To learn more about The Homeless Health Care Program, call Community First Health Centers today.