El Rio has provided medical care to the homeless in Tucson and surrounding areas since 1989. There are an estimated 4200 homeless individuals in Tucson on any given day.  El Rio Community Health Center is the largest provider of primary health care, case management, advocacy, and behavioral health services in the Tucson area. Although access to care for the homeless is available at all El Rio sites, El Rio opened the Broadway clinic at 1101 E. Broadway Blvd. in July of 2003 to focus on the needs of the homeless population. 

Outreach Medical Services and Referrals

Outreach medical services and referrals are provided by a Family Nurse Practitioner, assisted by a nursing staff and a Outreach care coordinator. Through an established schedule at various shelters and homeless service centers throughout Tucson, medical care is accessible to those unable to seek care at El Rio’s medical clinics. Medical outreach is provided at Primavera Shelter, Adult Rehab Center, Salvation Army, and Casa Maria.

Case management and social services are provided to homeless patients at the Broadway clinic by a Patient Care Coordinator (PCC). The PCC identifies non-medical needs of the homeless patients and coordinates referrals to community services for assistance with employment, food and immediate necessities, shelter/housing, and mental health-substance abuse services. In conjunction with the medical staff, the PCC assists in determining eligibilities for insurances and entitlements, and in aiding the patients in the subsequent application processes. The advocacy services have assisted the homeless in securing entitlements as well as food, clothing, dentures, glasses, and shelter.

Homeless Health Education Project (T.H.E. Project)

The Homeless Health Education Project (T.H.E. Project) at El Rio provides health education outreach at shelters and service centers throughout Tucson. In addition to developing curricula and recruiting volunteer instructors, The Homeless Health Education Project provides class site coordination as well as materials and training to the volunteers. The project currently has curriculum developed for 51 topics, and has 55 volunteer health professionals who in turn conduct over 60 health education classes per month. Last year over 3,600 homeless persons participated in the project’s classes. For additional information on the Title Project, call (520) 256-2874.

The dedicated El Rio team who work each day to improve the health and well being   of Tucson’s homeless population are not alone in their belief that every individual deserves access to quality comprehensive healthcare. They are among a special group of caregivers which includes the following collaborators on El Rio homeless services:

Committees, Boards, etc.: Tucson Planning Council for the Homeless, and Community Outreach Services Association

COPE Behavioral Health Services Incorporated– Outreach, Care Coordination, Liaison for Enrollment and Access to Mental Health Substance Abuse Services and Vocational Rehabilitation Services through the lifeworks program.

Compass Healthcare – Detoxification and Residential Substance Abuse;

Community Partnership of Southern Arizona - mental health coordinator.

Housing Assistance: City of Tucson, Traveler’s Aid, and Primavera

Shelter Services: Primavera, Salvation Army Hospitality House, Travelers Aid, Bethany House, Open Inn, Our Town, and Tucson Center for Women and Children, Gospel Rescue Mission

Employment Assistance: Dorothy Kret, Jackson Employment, Primavera, DES, and numerous labor placement services.

For further information on El Rio Community Health Center’s Healthcare for the Homeless Services, patient eligibility, or on how you can contribute time and/or money to related programs, please call our Broadway Clinic at 624-7750.

Eye and Dental Services, new eyes for the needy, J.C. Rose Dental Care