Street Health

Through the Community-Engaged Learning initiative called Street Health, our students learn and serve people in need. Read more about this program in our Magazine.

Street Health

Homelessness in Hampton Roads is a systemic challenge and affects the health of both families and single individuals. This initiative is aimed at developing baseline health data for regular participants in Norfolk-based outreach programs and for unsheltered street homeless individuals identified by the City of Norfolk. The team will conduct basic health screening and provide referrals for accessible follow-on care. In addition, students will conduct a systematic study of high-yield cost-effective assists for homeless persons in Norfolk and recommend systems for providing those things on a regular basis.

Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University students have a long tradition of volunteering with the City of Norfolk’s NEST program for single homeless individuals. This initiative was presented by a student who saw that this vulnerable population could greatly benefit from this type of screening and attention. Students will first define the field - needs, frequencies and patterns - then develop systems for addressing the needs that match the human context.

Students will:

• Describe various stories that led to homelessness
• Conduct a literature review, consult with existing street homeless programs and describe what systematic approaches are possible
• Map the movement and location of homeless individuals
• Describe common health challenges associated with homelessness
• List diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to common health challenges experienced by homeless persons
• Predict the health trajectory of a given participant or family with and without a change of status
• Describe and defend efficient and effective public responses to homelessness that would likely result in improved health outcomes for homeless persons
• Develop the requirements for a system that would facilitate health tracking, continuity of care and coordination with care management systems

For additional details on Street Health, you can download the handout: HERE

You may also contact Community-Engaged Learning for any additional questions.

Students, report your CEL hours: HERE