HCH Directory - Arizona

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El Rio Santa Cruz Neighborhood Health Center

Mailing Address:
839 West Congress
Tucson, AZ 85745
Location:
1101 East Broadway
Tucson, AZ 85719
Phone: (520) 624-7750
Fax: (520) 624-5352
Email: grants1@elrio.org
Web: www.elrio.org
Director: Kathy Byrne
HCH Coordinator: Ken Burton
Medical Director: Arthur Martinez, MD
UDS Number: 090160

Project Description

El Rio Health Center is a non-profit community health center that serves as the primary provider of outpatient
medical services to persons who are homeless in the Tucson area.

Physicians, a family nurse practitioner, medical/psychiatric nurses, nurse case managers, eligibility clerks, and
patient advocates staff the HCH project. Outpatient services include primary care, specialty care, lab, x-ray,
pharmacy, dental, and medical case management. A mobile medical/eligibility outreach team provides medical care and supportive services at shelters, feeding centers, and rehabilitation centers. An additional primary care clinic, opened in 2003, includes integrated behavioral health care with an adjacent mental health case management clinic.
The El Rio Foundation supports efforts to end homelessness by funding cosmetic dentistry for homeless individuals attempting to get back into the workforce through vocational rehabilitation programs in Tucson. The El Rio HCH project also provides free eye glasses to individuals who are homeless. El Rio’s Health Education Project provides health education at multiple sites, using volunteer health care professionals to address health issues, such as communicable disease, mental health, reproductive health, children’s health, and nutrition. El Rio Health Center is an active member of the Tucson Planning Council for the Homeless. As of January, 2006, El Rio HCH Project began tracking services through the Tucson Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).

Linkages include Adult Rehab Center, Casa Maria, Primavera Foundation, Gospel Rescue Mission, Open Inn,
COPE Behavioral Health Services, La Frontera Behavioral Health Center, New Eyes for the Needy, J.C. Rose
Dental Care, Coalition for African American Health and Wellness, Community Partnership of Southern Arizona,
Arizona Department of Corrections (COSIG), as well as many other community organizations that assist those
experiencing homelessness with physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs.

Estimated homeless population: 12,000 Patients served: 2,200

COPE Behavioral Services
82 South Stone Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85704
Contact: Pat Benechik
Phone: (520) 792-3293

Maricopa County Department of Public Health

220 South 12th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: (602) 372-2100
Fax: (602) 372-2164
Email: corinnevelasquez@mail.maricopa.gov
Web: www.maricopa.gov/public_health/services/homeless/default.aspx
Phone: (602) 372-2101
Director: Bob England, MD. MPH
HCH Coordinator: Corinne Velasquez
Medical Director: Adele O'Sullivan, MD
UDS Number: 090750

Project Description

The Maricopa County Health Care for the Homeless Program (MCDPH) uses an integrated model of health care delivery servicing all of Maricopa County. Services include outreach, primary care, case management, housing, behavioral health services, substance abuse counseling, and referrals for dental, vision, and entitlement programs.

The HCH program is the only major provider of health care to uninsured people who are homeless in Maricopa
County. Clinic services are provided at the homeless clinic located in downtown Phoenix. A clinical staff, consisting of a physician, two physician assistants, a psychiatrist, substance abuse counselor, mental health therapist and case managers, provides primary and secondary health care, prenatal care, preventive health care, and behavioral health care. Outreach services include basic health assessment, primary care, Phoenix Children’s Hospital Crews’n Healthmobile, disease outbreak and health emergency response, food delivery, nutrition education, parenting and disease prevention education, and referral for housing and other services. Transportation is provided to medical appointments daily and as needed for emergency care to Maricopa Medical Center and local detox centers.

Enrollment in Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System is provided by Medical Assistance Programs and onsite eligibility workers. Emergency care services and hospitalization are available at Maricopa Medical Center.
Dental services are provided by referral to the Central Arizona Shelter Services Dental Trailer. Vision services are available by referral to Lions Vision Clinic. Referrals are also made to other MCDPH programs including the STD and TB clinics and the McDowell (HIV/AIDS) Clinic. Other mental health services are available by referral to Value Options. Project staff network with the Maricopa Association of Governments Task Force on the Homeless, Phoenix Health Care Coalition for the Homeless, Coalition to End Homelessness, United Methodist Outreach Ministry, Central Arizona Shelter Services, Phoenix Rescue Mission, and Thomas J. Pappas School for Homeless Children.

Estimated homeless population: 13,000 Patients served: 5,625

Central Arizona Shelter Services
1209 West Madison Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Phoenix Children's Hospital Crews'n Health Mobile
1919 East Thomas Road
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Phone: (602) 546-1000
Fax: (602) 546-0191