Linn County collaborative looks to bring health care to the unhoused

CEDAR RAPIDS — A collaborative of area health care providers and Linn County social service agencies is exploring the feasibility of creating a street medicine team to help deliver health care to the unhoused.

Homeless systems manager J’nae Peterman discussed the project Tuesday during a regular update for the Cedar Rapids City Council. Peterman’s position, housed at the Housing Trust Fund of Linn County, is jointly paid for by the city and Linn County.

She said the street medicine program, once operational, would deliver direct, person-centered care to people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in hopes of improving health outcomes and increasing access to the broader continuum of care.

“There’s a lot of health concerns that come with being homeless that are not being addressed,” Peterman said. “There’s a lot of stigma, and there can be a sense of judgment (when seeking help). Being able to shift that narrative is very important.”

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Speaking to The Gazette, Peterman said the program remains “in its infancy” with few firm details on its final makeup and operational scope. To guide those decisions, a comprehensive assessment is underway to identify which services and offerings are most needed in Linn County’s unhoused community.

That assessment is being completed in conjunction with the Lived Experience Advisory Council, a group of currently or formerly unhoused people working together to make recommendations on how best to address homelessness in Linn County.

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LEAC members are helping collect feedback from those currently experiencing homelessness while area health agencies discuss logistics such as staffing, funding options and rollout timelines.

“The needs assessment will provide data that can guide us based on what individuals out there are saying they need,” Peterman said. “It’s very, very early, but we know we want to get out there and connect people with providers.”

There’s no set timeline for assessment completion, although Peterman said the goal is to pilot select initiatives at some point this winter at the Linn County overnight shelter. The shelter, located at 1017 12th Ave. SW in Cedar Rapids, will offer overnight shelter between Nov. 15 and March 31.

The shelter will provide a natural place to connect with those experiencing homelessness, Peterman said, and also serve as a way to get direct feedback on the program’s operations.

The proposal received praise from several Cedar Rapids City Council members during Tuesday’s meeting, multiple of whom noted the importance of continued public-private cooperation in addressing homelessness.

Entities involved in the conversation thus far include the Housing Trust Fund of Linn County, UnityPoint Health and UnityPoint Health AbbeHealth Services, Mercy Cedar Rapids, Linn County Public Health, Area Substance Abuse Council, Eastern Iowa Health Center and Iowa Primary Care Association.

“We want all of our citizens — all of our neighbors and all of our friends — to be healthy and safe,” said at-large City Council member Ann Poe. “I think that is a real critical component to this program.”

Comments: grace.nieland@thegazette.com

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