Medical Respite Program
Medical Respite is non-permanent acute and post-acute care for persons experiencing homelessness who are too ill or frail to recover from illness or injury on the streets but are not ill enough to be in a hospital. By providing a stable and safe place to recover and receive necessary services, medical respite promotes healing and recovery, ultimately disrupting the cycle of homelessness and reducing the need for costly, preventable emergency intervention. Other services offered through Medical Respite include case management, healthcare coordination, meal access, and behavioral health services. The Medical Respite program currently operates at Hallworth House in Providence, RI.
Mobile Wound Care Unit
In response to the emerging issue of Xylazine, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) quickly mobilized Westbay Community Action to expand a new initiative into the community focusing on mobile wound care. A partnership was formed with West Bay Community Action and Alert Healthcare to plan for and implement stigma-free wound care services as part of the medical respite program. The Mobile Wound Care team comprises an RN, an EMT-C, and a social worker. An essential component of this service is coordinating with peer organizations that organize dates and times for visits with clients in need and prepare clients for receiving services. Individuals and/or peer harm reduction organizations can call 401-871-4389 for mobile medical respite assistance for those experiencing wounds from Monday – Thursday, 8 am until 6 pm.
