Health Care for the Homeless
Since December 2002, Families First's mobile health care teams -- including nurse practitioners, nurses, care coordinators and a substance abuse counselor -- have traveled on two vans to bring services to shelters, soup kitchens and other places in Rockingham and Strafford counties where homeless people spend time.
Meet the Health Care for the Homeless providers
Print out a program brochure, with schedule (.pdf)
Patients can get a variety of services on the vans, including routine physicals and treatment for illnesses, as well as some dental services. In addition, one of the most important services provided on the vans is care coordination — linking people with free or low–cost community services, including those offered by Families First and other community health centers.
The program is not only for people living in shelters or on the streets, but for anyone living in temporary housing, including those "sofa-surfing" at a friend's house or living in a campground or a winter rental.
Patients seen on the van can pay with Medicaid or other insurance if they have it. For patients who are uninsured, there is no charge.
The following schedule is usually in effect, but be sure to call to check for changes. To check the schedule, call toll-free 1–888–922-0005, or 766–9220 from the Portsmouth area.
PORTSMOUTH
- Cross Roads House, Lafayette Rd., Mondays 8:30-11 a.m., Tuesdays 6-7:45 p.m. and Thursdays 8:30-10:30 a.m.
- Salvation Army (upstairs), Middle St., Tuesdays, 4 to 6 p.m.
- Seacoast Community Church, Lafayette Rd., every Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- St. John’s Episcopal Church, Chapel St., Thursdays, 11 a.m to 2 p.m.
HAMPTON
- Every Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. October through April: Hampton Beach, across from McDonald's / next to the Commerce building. May through September: Salvation Army on Lafayette Road.
- Salvation Army, Lafayette Road, every Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
DOVER
- Train Station, Chestnut St.,
Wednesdays, 9-11 a.m.
ROCHESTER
- Salvation Army, 10 Olde Farm Lane, Mondays and Wednesdays, 12-2 p.m.
Click here for a one-page printout of the above schedule (.pdf).
If you have questions about the program, call 603-422-8208 and speak to Emily (ext. 129) or Sue (ext. 107).
