Nurse with a client
 
Helen Van
 

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.

Click here to meet the Health Care for the Homeless providers.

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; if not, there is no charge.

The following schedule is usually in effect, but be sure to call to check for changes:

PORTSMOUTH

  • Cross Roads House, Lafayette Rd, Mondays 9-11:30 a.m. and Thursdays 8:30-10:30 a.m.
  • Seacoast Community Church, Lafayette Rd., first Tuesday of the month, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Salvation Army (upstairs), Middle St., Tuesdays, 4 to 6 p.m.
  • St. John’s Episcopal Church, Chapel St., Thursdays, 11 a.m to 2 p.m.

HAMPTON

  • Every Tuesday except the first 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.

DOVER

  • Train Station, Chestnut St., Wednesdays, 9-11 a.m.

ROCHESTER

  • Salvation Army, 10 Olde Farm Lane, Wednesdays, 12:30-2:15 p.m.

FARMINGTON

  • Fire Station, 381 Main Street, Tuesdays, 9-11 a.m.

To check the schedule, call toll-free 1–888–922-0005, or 766–9220 from the Portsmouth area.
Click here for a printable schedule in calendar format.
Click here for a program brochure.

If you have questions about the program, call 603-422-8208 and speak to Emily (ext. 129) or Maureen (ext. 111).