Neighborhood Health Partnership Program
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The Neighborhood Health Partnership (NHP) program is an outreach program that provides health screenings and education, and directs people to our health centers for primary and preventive care. Currently one mobile medical unit is deployed throughout the community providing mostly FREE health screenings (blood pressure, cholesterol, pregnancy tests, immunizations, glucose, etc.)
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Homeless Outreach Program
Homelessness continues to be a challenge in New Orleans, and post Katrina agencies have been struggling to provide services for the growing number of homeless in the community.
Maintaining good health has been shown to positively affect an individual’s ability to maintain employment and housing. It is extremely difficult for homeless individuals to receive quality health care services. In recent years, hospital emergency rooms have been inundated with patients who have non-critical health concerns due to lack of insurance, funding, and homelessness. These patients are often left with no other choice but to use emergency rooms for illnesses that can be treated through primary care health services.
NHP provides primary health care to the homeless citizens of New Orleans. DCSNO has had a successful homeless health care program since 1997 when one of our former Nurse Practitioners medically assisted hundreds of homeless citizens while on foot.
Currently, health services are provided to individuals at the Ozanam Inn Homeless Residential Shelter and the Harry Thompson Rebuild Center. At these two locations DCSNO medical staff (Nurse Practitioner, Medical Assistant, Medical Case Manager) work diligently to provide quality health care services to the homeless. Patients are seen free of charge as many times as needed.
They are also given over the counter medications, immunizations, and other needed injections free of charge. In addition, blood pressure and glucose levels are checked and monitored by the medical staff. Patients are also able to have sutures removed, be given proper wound care, and most importantly, receive high quality care for chronic and episodic conditions.
Community Partnerships
NHP continues to maintain multiple relationships with community partners who share a common vision and mission of improving the health status of the residents. Partnerships include neighborhood associations; local churches and schools; city agencies; universities; civic and business organizations, etc. NHP staff attends community meetings to provide information about services and to be a presence in the lives of those we serve. Several community partners utilize DCSNO facilities to provide services or education including the Women, Infant, Children (WIC) nutrition program; Healthy Start; and more.
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