Swope Health Services stands as a vital community health and behavioral health center, prominently featuring its Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) program. This program is dedicated to providing crucial primary health care and extensive support services to individuals experiencing homelessness. Funded in part by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) supportive service grants, Swope Health Services delivers outreach, case management, outpatient care, substance use disorder services, counseling, medication management, and dental care, specifically tailored for this vulnerable population. The collaboration with behavioral health programs further strengthens its capacity to serve individuals with chronic mental health conditions.
Extensive Range of On-Site and Outreach Services
The HCH project operates within Swope Health Services, ensuring accessible on-site primary care through a variety of specialized clinics. These include adult medicine, obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN), pediatrics, dental care, vision services, and behavioral health. Complementary on-site services such as radiology, laboratory, pharmacy, and an optical shop further streamline patient care. Recognizing the diverse locations where individuals experiencing homelessness may be found, Swope Health Services extends its reach through robust homeless outreach programs. These initiatives deliver essential health and support services directly at shelters, soup kitchens, drop-in centers, treatment facilities, street locations, homeless encampments, and other gathering points.
Swope Health Services offers a comprehensive suite of services, including:
- 24-hour emergency on-call availability
- Asthma management
- Basic needs assistance
- Behavioral health care services and mental health counseling for adults and youth
- Blood pressure monitoring and cancer screening
- Case management and social services
- Chronic bronchitis/emphysema care
- Contraceptives with counseling
- Dental care services
- Diabetes testing and care
- Family planning resources
- Flu vaccinations and immunizations
- Gynecology and obstetrics
- Health and nutritional education
- Hepatitis C screening and treatment
- HIV/AIDS screening and education
- Laboratory services and medications/prescriptions
- Mobile van/transportation
- Multidisciplinary health teams
- Optometry services
- Outreach programs
- Pain management services
- Pediatrics and well-child check-ups
- Pharmacy services
- Physical exams
- Pneumococcal vaccine administration
- Primary health care
- Referrals for specialty care
- Residential services
- Services in supportive housing
- Smoking cessation programs
- Substance abuse treatment
- Trauma-informed care
- Tuberculosis (TB) screening and education
- Treatment for acute and chronic illnesses
- Urgent care services
- X-ray services
Community Linkages and Impactful Statistics
Swope Health Services actively participates in a Homeless Services Coalition, fostering strong linkages with a wide network of community service providers. This collaborative approach ensures comprehensive support for individuals experiencing homelessness by connecting them with necessary resources across the community.
The impact of Swope Health Services is significant, serving a substantial portion of the homeless population. With an estimated homeless population of 15,000, Swope Health Services provides care to approximately 3,500 patients, demonstrating its crucial role in addressing the healthcare needs of this underserved community.
