Shelter Health

Providing on-site healthcare in shelters & navigation centers

We provide healthcare services and connections to care for guests staying in shelters, navigation centers, RV sites and drop-in centers. Our team is passionate about supporting guests so they have safe and dignified stays.

What we do

Shelter Health RN, Lauren Sir, delivering urgent care to a shelter guest

Stabilize

We operate on-site clinics in City-funded congregate and non-congregate shelters and drop-in centers.
We provide emergency and urgent care on-site then triage to the appropriate level of care (e.g., ER, urgent care, primary care).
We support clients to meet their health goals during their stays in shelter.
We connect clients to ongoing primary care and behavioral health services.
We connect eligible clients to palliative care (medical care for people living with serious illnesses).

Shelter Health RN, Lucia Duarte Perez, providing wound care to shelter guest

Types of care

On-site testing for infectious diseases (e.g., COVID, TB, HIV, Hep C, STIs/STDs)
Chronic disease management
Wound care
Medication management
Immunizations
Harm reduction (engaging directly with people who use substances to prevent overdoses)
Support with Medication Assisted Treatment for patients with substance use disorders

Transition

We prepare clients to transition out of shelter into permanent supportive housing or other appropriate arrangements.
We help clients get set up with wrap-around services that will follow them into their next living situation.
We assist with advocacy toward higher levels of care (e.g., Medical Respite, Board and Care, Residential Care)
We meet clients where they are at with substance use disorders and link them to next steps, whether that is treatment or safer use.

Our Team

Our team of registered nurses, health workers, providers, AmeriCorps volunteers and peers ensure guests and residents have safe and dignified stays. We work collaboratively with other street-based teams providing outreach and health and behavioral healthcare, as well as with Medical Respite. We partner with the SF Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing as well as the community-based organizations that manage shelter sites. We also provide our CBO partners with public health advisement and training.

Departments

Department of Public Health

Homelessness and Supportive Housing

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