It has been estimated that over 10,000 persons in Sacramento County are homeless. The Health Care for the Homeless program is a federally funded Grant program aimed at providing access to healthcare, health resources/referrals and education to homeless men, women and children. The County of Sacramento HCH program operates throughout the Sacramento County in collaboration with non–profit health services and resource programs that serve the county’s homeless population to provide access to healthcare. Our main collaboratives are Mercy Health Care, Sacramento; Loaves and Fishes Inc.; Salvation Army; Union Gospel Mission; Sacramento Area Emergency Housing; and many other homeless shelter and service programs.

Our dedicated medical staff provides all-inclusive health care services for those seeking medical attention. We provide primary and public health care. There is no limitation on how far the staff will go to assure a client has received all the medical attention, resources and referrals to sustain an optimal level of functioning during times of despair.

The Collaboration with Mercy healthcare of Sacramento and Loaves and Fishes, has provided a primary and public health service clinic. This clinic is located in the heart of a highly populated homeless service area. The county relationship involves provision of full-time clinician support, Medical Supplies, Pharmaceuticals and utilization of County patient care database. Dr. McKee is primary clinician at this site. She has been dedicated to serving the homeless population in this area for over 7 years. Her character , sincere concern and compassion has build trust among homeless patients utilizing this service center.

We utilize an Outreach Public Health Nurse (PHN) for the majority of services offered through this grant. The PHN provides health education workshops and adult and children triage assessments and provides advocacy tor homeless to enter area clinics for medical attention. Her emotional and sincere approach to care has given her a reputation of excellence in regards to her dedication and professional service to staff and clients of homeless shelter programs and service areas.

In addition to conducting Triage assessments to homeless adults, our PHN coordinates two Well Child Clinic sites- Hope Clinic and Mary House. At the two WCC sites we provide comprehensive exams on children 18 years and younger. This exam includes vision, hearing and immunizations. Our WCC are in collaboration with UCDavis Med Ctr. and Loaves and Fishes. At the HOPE clinic site, 3rd year UCDavis residents conduct pediatric comprehensive exams. At our Mary House site our pediatric exams are conducted by an on-call Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)- Joan Bell. This PNP has been with the program for over 5 years and exhibits sincere dedication to serving the families utilizing services in the Loaves and Fishes area.

The Health Care for the Homeless staff provides care that goes far beyond a healing hand but a social hand as well. Our staff is often faced with the dilemma of assisting and guiding individuals to other programs outside of health like assuring a healthy meal, living accommodations, shower and hygiene accommodations etc… The staff recognizes that health care may not be the first priority for many clients; therefore, recognizing and maintaining a knowledge base of social necessities can also provide therapeutic effects for the mind, body and soul.