It is the mission of HEALTH Program team to overcome barriers to good health for the medically underserved residents of Dane County. In spite of a plethora of resources and good will in our community, many individuals remain in poor health because of difficulties encountered while navigating our complicated and fragmented health care system.
Barriers that underserved patients encounter include: medical illiteracy, limited transportation, lack of insurance or income, inability to afford medications, substance abuse, mental health issues, unstable housing and failure to access primary care.
The goal of the HEALTH program is to identify and overcome barriers to good health by providing education and care coordination to individuals who are either homeless or in transitional housing. The HEALTH program was initially offered to medically underserved individuals at Safe Haven, Brooks Street, Hospitality House and the Drop-in Shelter at Grace Episcopal Church. An additional site, the "Hut" at St. Vincent de Paul, was opened on March 12, 2010, and the HEALTH Program team now also visits Salvation Army, and various meal site programs.
The HEALTH Program is designed to serve as a bridge for homeless and unstably housed patients in Dane County who are often uninsured, unemployed and disconnected from medical and other community services. Long-term case management, medical care and financial assistance are not provided through this program.
