Rapid Creation of a Multiagency Alternate Care Site for COVID-19- Positive Individuals Experiencing Homelessness

Am J Public Health. 2021 Jul;111(7):1227-1230. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2021.306286.

Abstract

Cook County Health partnered with the Chicago Departments of Public Health and Family & Support Services and several dozen community-based organizations to rapidly establish a temporary medical respite shelter during the spring 2020 COVID-19 peak for individuals experiencing homelessness in Chicago and Cook County, Illinois. This program provided low-barrier isolation housing to medically complex adults until their safe return to congregate settings. We describe strategies used by the health care agency, which is not a Health Resource and Services Administration Health Care for the Homeless grantee, to provide medical services and care coordination.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 / epidemiology
  • COVID-19 / rehabilitation*
  • Chicago
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / prevention & control
  • Community Networks / organization & administration*
  • Humans
  • Ill-Housed Persons / statistics & numerical data*
  • Illinois
  • Interdisciplinary Communication
  • Interinstitutional Relations*
  • Public Housing / statistics & numerical data
  • Social Work / organization & administration*
  • Vulnerable Populations / statistics & numerical data