Outreach and Primary Services for Homeless Children

Program Information

MISSION | ACTIVITIES | ACCOMPLISHMENTS | COLLABORATIVE LINKAGES | FUNDING HISTORY | FUTURE CHALLENGES | INFORMATION CONTACT

The Outreach and Primary Health Services for Homeless Children Program (Homeless Children’s Program) was established in 1992 as an amendment to the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. The Homeless Children’s Program is now authorized by the Health Centers Consolidation Act of 1996, Section 330(h).



The Homeless Children’s Program supports innovative programs for the delivery of outreach, health services, and referral for homeless children and children at imminent risk of homelessness. The needs of homeless children and at-risk children are addressed through prevention, assessment of primary care needs, and provision of comprehensive primary care services. 

The Homeless Children's Program serves homeless children and their families by providing, or arranging for, services to address their health and social service needs. Programs must provide the following services, either directly or through contract:

• Conduct outreach activities to identify homeless children and children at risk of homelessness and inform parents and guardians of the availability of health care and other support services.

• Provide comprehensive primary health care services, (including diagnostic laboratory and radiology, preventive health, dental and pharmaceutical) in a variety of settings, including clinics and mobile medical units.

• Establish referrals to organizations which provide other health, social, and educational services, such as hospitals, community and migrant health centers, Head Start and other educational programs, and programs that prevent and treat child abuse.

During Calendar Year 2000, the Homeless Children’s Program:

• Awarded grants to 10 community-based organizations in urban and rural areas across the Nation. 

• Provided care to more than 22,000 patients. The majority of these clients (54 percent) were female, and 59 percent of patients were age 12 or younger.

• Served some of the neediest Americans, including children and families living on the street, in shelters, and in transitional housing. 

Programs are encouraged to form linkages with community-based organizations that have expertise in meeting the health care needs of homeless children and children at risk of homelessness. Specific linkage activities include:

• Primary and specialty health care, substance abuse, mental health, and case management services.

• Pediatric departments of local medical centers, teaching hospitals, and large community-based clinics ensure access to extended or specialty care.

• Coalitions of service groups, including those from the public, private, and volunteer sectors assist with clothing, food, housing, and advocacy services.

• Community resources such as churches, schools, and local organizations foster acceptance of the program among community residents and identify people in need of program services.

 
An important challenge for the Homeless Children’s Program is to maximize available resources to address the full range of health and social service needs of homeless children and their families.

Health Care for the Homeless Branch
Division of Programs for Special Populations
Bureau of Primary Health Care
4350 East-West Highway, 9th Floor
Bethesda, MD 20814
301/594-4430 
301/594-2470 FAX

Related Primary Care References

Last revised 06/08/2001