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| It's Not Too Late: Join Us at Our Fall Training Symposium
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There’s still time to register for the National Health Care for the Homeless Council’s Fall Training Symposium on October 4, 2017, at the Scarritt Bennett Center in Nashville. This event will bring together providers, advocates, administrators, and consumers as we “Rise to the Challenge Together” to address the challenges facing the homeless health care community. Featuring experts from Capital Link, the Tennessee Justice Center, and other organizations, our Symposium will offer attendees eight sessions on advocacy 101, clinical challenges in opioid treatment, and more. Register now and learn how to take advantage of our room block at Nashville’s Embassy Suites in easy walking distance of our event. Rooms are going quickly—we encourage you to book your lodging as soon as possible.
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| HCH2018 Call for Proposals Now Open! The National HCH Council is now accepting proposals for our 2018 National HCH Conference! To be held from May 15-18 in Minneapolis, MN, our Conference will unite hundreds of providers, administrators, consumers, and advocates from across the HCH field to explore critical topics in health care and homelessness. Now is your chance to become a part of the Conference agenda by submitting a proposal reflective of our theme of “Working Together for Community.” Learn about Conference tracks, the review process, and session formats on our Call for Proposals webpage. Submit a proposal by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, on Friday, October 27, 2017.
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| Council Responds to Recent Hurricanes With Resources and Support
The National HCH Council grieves for and is concerned about our neighbors that have been affected by Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma, particularly individuals experiencing homelessness. In the wake of these crises, the Council is determining how best to aid local Health Care for the Homeless programs helping to meet the mammoth needs of their communities. In the meantime, please read and use our disaster planning and response resources for people without homes, view our statement on Hurricane Harvey, and learn how you can assist organizations helping those affected by Harvey. Please contact us with any suggestions for ways that the Council can be of assistance.
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| New Fact Sheet Examines How the Opioid Crisis Affects People Without Homes
The Council has released a new fact sheet: "Addressing the Opioid Epidemic: How the Opioid Crisis Affects Homeless Populations." America is facing an opioid crisis, and that epidemic has significantly impacted people without homes. Homeless populations have higher rates of substance use disorders, poorer health, and higher mortality rates by opioid overdose than national averages. Our publication examines the social determinants of health that contribute to that increased prevalence and morbidity. It also details the systemic barriers that hinder access to care and success in recovery for people without homes, as well as best practices to address those barriers. Read the fact sheet.
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| Announcing Our PhotoVoice Learning Collaborative: Applications Due October 6
The Council invites health centers and organizations serving people without homes to take part in our new PhotoVoice Learning Collaborative to share stories of their community, work to address stigma, and engage in community dialogues on homelessness. Participating organizations in this free community initiative will recruit their local consumers to receive training in documenting their experience of homelessness through photos and journal entries. These materials will be featured in local and national exhibits (including at our National HCH Conference), and the local groups will become part of a national collaborative in sharing how we construct art to effectively tell the story of homelessness. Learn more and apply by October 6, and please contact us with any questions.
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| New Webinar Explores Street Medicine and Conservatorship Strategies for People Without Homes
Join us for a webinar on “Street Medicine for Gravely Mentally Ill Patients” at 11 a.m. CT on September 27. People without homes face a risk of dying on the streets, and that risk is particularly high for individuals with mental illness, terminal addiction, or dementia. These individuals may lack the ability to seek safety and accept treatment because of their hallucinations, delusions, intoxication, and diminished medical decision-making capacity. Presented by noted street medicine expert Dr. Susan Partovi, Medical Director of Homeless Health Care Los Angeles, this discussion will show you how to define grave disability, identify patients at high risk for death, and explore guardianship laws. Register now.
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| Council Technical Assistance Available on New Report on Integrated Health and Housing
The Council is offering limited Technical Assistance related to a new publication on “ Innovative Models in Health and Housing.” Prepared by Mercy Housing and the Low Income Investment Fund for the California Endowment and the Kresge Foundation, this report’s case studies illustrate how the affordable housing and health care sectors came together in nine communities to expand housing opportunities for people whose health would benefit from service-enriched affordable housing. Please contact Michael Durham, Technical Assistance (TA) Manager, for more information about available TA.
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| Join the Council in Observing National Depression Screening Day (October 5) The Council encourages all health centers to observe National Depression Screening Day on October 5 by making extra efforts to increase depression screenings for patients aged 12 years and older. Let’s work together to help raise public awareness of mental health issues and to reduce stigma. Research has shown links between depression and homelessness: depression can lead to homelessness and can result from homelessness—and untreated or poorly managed depression may prolong one’s homelessness. It is therefore important to not only screen patients for depression, but also to follow up on positive screens with appropriate treatment and referrals. Learn more with our online resources.
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| New Social Work Intern Joins the Council We are pleased to welcome Bethany Hill as an intern for the 2017-2018 academic year. Bethany is pursuing her master’s degree in social work at the University of Tennessee and is interning at the Council during her second year. She will be working closely with Project Manager Julia Dobbins and the Respite Care Providers’ Network on medical respite care-related projects. She previously interned at Rooftop Nashville and volunteered for a year with the Homeless Garden Project in Santa Cruz, CA. If you are interested in interning with the Council, please contact Senior Director of Administration Marita Rice.
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| Help Inform the Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) is revising and strengthening the federal plan to reduce and eliminate homelessness—and they need your input. Visit USICH to submit your ideas and recommendations on what can and should be done to address this national crisis. Want to learn more about coming Congressional developments and what other steps you can take to help ensure health care and housing justice? Stay on top of the latest policy developments—including single-payer news, the opioid crisis, and more—by signing up for our monthly Mobilizer action alert.
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| HITEQ Center Offers Information Technology Support for Health Centers The Health Information Technology, Evaluation and Quality (HITEQ) Center has valuable workshops available upon request that can benefit Health Care for the Homeless programs. Funded by HRSA, the HITEQ Center offers Information Technology expertise to support health centers in fully optimizing and utilizing their EHR/Health IT systems. A wealth of resources and trainings are available, including in-person group trainings, webinars, and workshops. Learn more and schedule a training for your program at HITEQ.
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