Wellness Connection Clinic Helping Homeless And Low Income Get Healthy

Starting in September 2017, the MHA second floor has been host to an innovative, collaborative outreach program to bring healthy resources to the homeless and under served members of our community. Spearheaded by the volunteer faith community nurses from the Erie United Methodist Alliance, a group of representatives including MHA, Community Health Net, and nursing programs from Gannon University and Edinboro University gathered beginning in the Spring to begin formulating a plan to put together a health resource clinic at MHA. The idea was to provide a drop-in service embedded in a site where qualifying individuals attend regularly, that could do basic health and needs assessments and have resource representatives available to connect consumers to services. This is a one year experiment in which data on effectiveness will be gathered. If successful, the program will continue and could be replicated at other sites where homeless and undeserved members of the community frequent.

The “Wellness Connection” is held at MHA on Fridays from 10 am to 2 pm. MHA members and anyone in the area is welcome to come by either to learn about the clinic services or get help with a health related issue in a holistic approach. The clinic offers accessible, patient-centered and trauma-informed care with an emphasis on an integrated healthcare model. Safe Harbor Behavioral Health of UPMC Hamot has a mental health therapist and blended case manager attending the clinic providing initial assessments for services. There are homeless housing assessments and referrals available to those in need. There is no cost for any of these services. Edinboro University Social Work Program is also helping coordinate services and provide follow-up and outreach to persons accessing the clinic services.