New Publication: Medicaid & Permanent Supportive Housing

To promote the state-level opportunities to further develop permanent supportive housing (PSH) models, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently published two documents that provide an in-depth analysis of the strategies for using Medicaid to provide the services needed for a vulnerable population: A Primer on Using Medicaid for People Experiencing Chronic Homelessness and Tenants in Permanent Supportive Housing;  and Medicaid and Permanent Supportive Housing for Chronically Homeless Individuals: Emerging Practices from the Field. This pair of reports covers a wide range of information related to chronic homelessness, the services needed to support this population in PSH, the Medicaid authorities and options available to states to support these services, and payment mechanisms and delivery structures that further enhance PSH for providers and patients alike. The Council's new fact sheet is intended to briefly outline the elements contained in the HHS primer so that health centers serving individuals experiencing homelessness may better understand the current opportunities for promoting this model of care.

Another New Publication: Rapid HIV Testing

HIV testing and counseling are the cornerstones of HIV prevention response, allowing individuals to know their HIV status and access appropriate services. In the spring of 2013, staff of the National HCH Council, in collaboration with Dr. Cathie Fogg, Associate Nursing Professor at St. Anselm College in Manchester, NH, developed a survey based on Pender’s Health Promotion Model. The survey was administered to homeless care providers to assess their rapid HIV testing practices. This report contains the results of the survey.

Yet Another New Publication!: Military History Screening Tool

Recently the National HCH Council Research Team, in collaboration with the Boston HCH Program and Veteran Affair experts, developed and piloted a Military History Screening Tool (MHST) for use by HCH grantees and potentially other organizations. This tool was developed in response to the 2013 Veterans Needs Assessment of HCH grantees which revealed that HCH providers were not using streamlined, culturally appropriate methods to accurately identify veteran clients. Accurate knowledge of veteran status is essential, as veterans may qualify for a number of VA services and benefits. This report presents results of the MHST pilot conducted in Boston, MA.

Celebrate HCH Day: August 12, 2015

National Health Center Week (August 9 – 15, 2015) and HCH Day (August 12, 2015) recognize and celebrate Health Centers’ provision of quality, comprehensive health care regardless of an individual’s insurance status or ability to pay. Each year consumers and staff at HCH projects organize events to highlight the important work done at their projects on HCH Day.  Events allow HCH projects to build relationships with community partners, engage elected officials, and show appreciation for the consumers, staff, and communities that support the vital work of HCH. For ideas for your event, see NACHC’s National Health Center Week website or highlights from previous HCH day events. Also stay tuned for more information about planning an event from the Council’s National Consumer Advisory Board. Please contact Katherine Cavanaugh, National Consumer Advocate, if you have any questions about planning your HCH day celebrations.

Member Spotlight: Unity Health Care in D.C.
A longtime member of the Council, Unity Health Care in Washington, DC, will be honored at the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved’s Annual Conference and Workforce Forum, June 1-3. Starting as a stand-alone Health Care for the Homeless project in 1985, Unity now provides quality care to more than 100,000 patients each year. Unity offers a full range of primary health care services to homeless persons, working poor, under/uninsured, infants, school-age children, the elderly, persons living with HIV/AIDS and/or hepatitis, and prisoners in the DC jails. ACU will present Unity with its 2015 Organization of the Year Award. Congratulations and thanks to our colleagues at Unity Health Care.

Inside the Council Website: Membership
Please visit the Membership page of the National HCH Council’s website to learn about Organizational or Individual Membership and the benefits of belonging. Scroll down to check whether your organization has joined the Council, and to see the good company you will be in when you join!  Above all else, if you have not done so already, please join the Council.