Social Work and Case Management
People living in shelters or on the streets often face isolation and stigmatization and may prioritize safety and sustenance over chronic health concerns. At Health Care for the Homeless, we “begin where the client is” by working to meet the needs the individual identifies while establishing a trusting relationship and gradually engaging the client into comprehensive services. Social workers play a critical role in this process.
Clinical services: Our licensed social workers on the Intake Services, Mental Health & Case Management, Special Initiatives, Housing First, Community Health Outreach, and Addictions Teams provide the following services:
- Crisis intervention
- Case management and care coordination
- Casework to secure food, shelter, clothing, and other emergency assistance
- Ongoing therapy
- Public benefits assistance
- Housing location and maintenance
- Representative payee services
- Information & referral
Clinical and support groups: Social workers and other clinical staff facilitate a range of groups to promote overall physical and psychological wellness. Group topics include dual diagnosis, men’s and women’s peer support, stress reduction, life skills, yoga, acupuncture, writing, and art.
Case conferences: in order to facilitate interdisciplinary plans of care for HCH clients, social workers organize and participate in routine clinical case conferences involving doctors, nurses, addictions counselors, and other providers involved in client care. 
Macro social work practice: HCH also employs bachelor’s- and master’s- prepared social workers in non-clinical areas of practice including administration, policy, community organization, fundraising, and program planning & evaluation.
For more information, contact 410-837-5533 or info@hchmd.org.