The National Health Care for the Homeless Council was back in Baltimore, May 12-15, for their annual conference! This year's theme was “Building Communities.”

This is the country’s largest gathering of people working at the intersection of health care and housing, and this session topics included case management for immigrant youth, medical respite care, street medicine and more. Check out this recap of highlights and reflections from your colleagues.

National Conference Home Page

“Shawna Murray-Browne’s keynote speech was compelling, and she led us through a qigong practice. According to the NIH, qigong uses 'exercises to optimize energy within the body, mind, and spirit, with the goal of improving and maintaining health and well-being.' It was very powerful to be in a room of 900+ people all practicing qigong together.” –Population Health Nurse Amy Nahley

19+ staff & Clients ATTENDED!

"Despite the challenges our communities face–housing shortages, policies that hurt rather than help, moral injury, and systemic inequities–I felt hopeful.  Presenters shared creative and communities-rooted solutions and wisdoms, things like qigong, contingency management, healing spaces, street medicine, reentry supports and SOAR/hospital partnerships.  It was encouraging to see that change is not only possible but is happening all around us." –Chief Behavioral Health Officer Lawanda Williams

"Being the only OT at HCH, it can be easy to forget that there are other OT's from across the country doing similar work with whom I can learn from and share my experiences. I had the opportunity to attend occupational therapy workshops presented by street medicine outreach programs based out of Los Angeles and Pittsburg. I can't wait to share what I learned with our new Street Medicine Team!" –Lead Psychiatric Occupational Therapist Daniel Shaffer

3 staff members presented

• Christina Bauer—Payor-Community Partnerships to Expand Health Care Access for People Experiencing Homelessness
• Joanna Diamond—State and Local Advocacy: Bringing policy change closer to home
• Barbara DiPietro—Federal Policy Landscape: Impact of Changes on the HCH Community & Moving Forward in an Uncertain Time: Mapping the Path for Medical Respite Care

There was an interesting session on burnout in outreach workers. It made me curious about staff who are out of our buildings for their day and what kind of burnout they may be going through. Definitely something to dig into a bit more.” –Chief People and Culture Officer Tosha Hershey

Tours at Sojourner Place at Oliver & Fallsway

Homeless service providers from across the country had a chance to see our facilities:

• • Our Sojourner Place at Oliver tour guides were Sr. Director of Advancement Kevin Feldt and Real Estate Developer Jill Steele.
  • Guests also got tours of 421 Fallsway from Director of Community Relations and Engagement Malcolm Williams, Sr. Director of Housing Services Taavon Bazemore, Director of Human Resources Rachelle Adams and Director of Communications Hanna Mast.

"I went to a great talk about improving access to injectable buprenorphine. I realized we have a policy and advocacy opportunity since the prior authorization process for these medications is outdated and delays care. I've already talked with a number of colleagues about this!" –Sr. Medical Director of Community Sites Tyler Gray

National Consumer Advisory Board Rally

With the help of Director of Community Relations and Engagement Malcolm Williams, the National Consumer Advisory Board organized a rally in the Baltimore Marriot Waterfront's Harbor C ballroom on Wed. May 14. Each year, the conference features a rally to call attention to health care and housing as human rights. This year’s theme was, “We Won’t Be Silent: Fighting for Our Rights Take a Whole Community." Board Member Mark Council was one of the rally's speakers.

"I loved the keynote by Dr. Shawna Murray-Browne and learning to 'Be like BEA': breath and embody, examine and express, and align and act differently." –Chief Administrative and Quality Officer Tolu Thomas

Reflections from the 2024 National Conference