Registration opens soon for the Leadership Summit on Homelessness & Health Care on October 20-21. Complementing the National HCH Conference, this autumnal gathering focuses on strategy, collaborations, and leadership development in a more congenial and relaxed atmosphere. Regular attendees of this two-day event in Nashville, TN, value it as an unmatched opportunity for peer-sharing in the homeless health care context, cultivating deep professional relationships and rejuvenating visitors to continue their work. Only Organizational Member representatives may attend, so we encourage you to double-check whether your organization is a member and consider joining us if you are not. Please contact us with any questions.

The Corporation for Supportive Housing, in partnership with the National HCH Council, has released its third illustrative profile in a series showcasing collaborative frequent user initiatives. “Frequent Users Systems Engagement (FUSE): Washtenaw County, MI” details how the Washtenaw community created a data-driven and collaborative initiative to streamline housing for frequent users of the hospital system. View this publication or other resources on our Permanent Supportive Housing page.

The National HCH Council has released its updated 2016 Medical Respite Program Directory. Featuring descriptions of 78 medical respite programs, this resource highlights programs offering safe shelter, clinical care, and aftercare planning assistance that are critical for people without homes who are too ill to recover on the streets, but not ill enough to remain in a hospital. The Council’s Respite Care Providers’ Network assembled these descriptions to inform others about the vital services these programs offer, and to facilitate communication among them. This year’s directory features five new programs, including those in two newly represented states (Hawaii and Montana).

The Council is searching for a new National Health Policy Organizer. Help us advance human rights to health care and housing: apply to join the Council and represent our interests in Washington, D.C. Operating from Baltimore, MD, the National Health Policy Organizer will work with our Policy Committee to advance our advocacy agenda and mobilize National HCH Council member organizations, advocates, service providers, and people without homes for the amelioration of poverty and homelessness. The Council invites all qualified candidates to apply for this position--and gives thanks to departing organizer Matt Warfield, MSW, MUP, for his exemplary service. Learn more and apply now.

On HCH Day, the Council launched HCH Stories, an online video series illuminating the experiences of service providers, consumers, advocates, and administrators involved with Health Care for the Homeless. Filmed with attendees of the 2016 National HCH Conference in Portland, OR, with assistance from the NCAB Storytelling Committee, this web series offers a powerful look at the stories of hope and recovery that Health Care for the Homeless makes possible. Watch the first edition featuring Calvin Alston’s reflection on his experience of homelessness and his journey to housing and helping others with the aid of New York’s Care for the Homeless, and like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to view new episodes as they debut.

Yesterday, August 10, the National HCH Council and Health Care for the Homeless projects across America celebrated HCH Day. Part of National Health Center Week, HCH Day honors the distinct work of HCH projects in addressing health and social problems faced by people without homes. This year’s celebrations were as diverse as the field itself, ranging from a block party at Pittsburgh’s Primary Health Services Center to free health screenings at New Jersey’s Project H.O.P.E. Learn more about these local celebrations, or help us advance the national movement on homelessness and health care by joining the Council. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all those who work to ensure access to health care for people experiencing homelessness.

Hospital community benefit funding and opioid treatment for homeless populations came into focus in two recent webinars from the National HCH Council. Complementing a recent policy brief, a Council webinar on July 12 examined hospital community benefit funding and how HCH organizations can potentially utilize such resources to better meet the needs of people without homes. The archived webinar is now available. Additionally, on July 28, the Council hosted a webinar spotlighting an innovative new “harm reduction” approach from the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, the Supportive Place for Observation and Treatment (SPOT). View the archived webinar and materials, or learn more about opioid treatment for homeless populations in our upcoming webinar on Medication Assisted Treatment from 3-4 p.m. EDT on Thursday, August 18th. Register now.

The Council is excited to announce our new partnership with Convenience Kits International to offer discounts on Outreach Kits containing personal hygiene products to our Organizational Members. Outreach workers love these kits because they are pre-assembled with everything you need: no more bag-stuffing. Organizational Members are eligible for a special 25% discount on the first order of stock outreach kits and a 10% discount on all subsequent purchases. Contact us to receive the members-only order form or to learn more about Organizational Membership.

On August 5, Council staff joined our Organizational Member Cherokee Health Systems in Knoxville, TN, for a grand opening ceremony recognizing Cherokee’s new medical respite program. The 8-bed facility is the result of years of planning and received support from the National HCH Council's Technical Assistance program. Featuring clinical services from Cherokee staff, the program operates in Knox Area Rescue Ministries a block away from the HCH site. The Council congratulates Cherokee on this achievement.