Letter from the NHCHC Executive Director

NATIONAL HEALTH CARE FOR THE HOMELESS COUNCIL
LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | FEBRUARY 2010

Greetings!

The struggle for health care justice always requires lots of work, and we are never idle here at the National Council, but in February 2010, we have truly hit our stride.

REGIONAL TRAINING | HOUSTON, TEXAS

I am writing from Houston, where our regional training on Health Care for the Homeless Leadership and Advocacy is providing excellent examples of Council priorities and the broad scope of our work. Clinicians, administrators and consumers from 21 states registered for the training, the second regional event organized by the Council.

THE CURRICULUM

On Monday morning, the opening general session explored the leadership skills required to address the challenges encountered in HCH. The afternoon's stimulating workshops examined the integration of service and advocacy, and explored how to effectively implement Medical Respite Care programs.

Last evening, we gathered to unwind, network and build our community at a reception hosted by our benefactors, Claims Review Corporation, a new National Council corporate sponsor. CRC's third-party billing services are designed to help HCH grantees and other Federally Qualified Health Centers prepare for and effectively address the increased billing demands anticipated with health care reform. For more information about how CRC can help your health center reduce overhead and bring in more revenue, visit the CRC website. If you wish, email us for details about how CRC supports the Council's work.

As I write this message early Tuesday morning, I eagerly await today's workshop that will explore the difficult issues associated with providing health care in shelter settings. This morning we will also offer a rich new training called "The Power of Story." In two workshops later this afternoon, we will work with our colleagues to strengthen their presentation skills, and we will explore methods to effectively involve people who have endured homelessness in Consumer Advisory Boards.

As with all Council learning opportunities, clinicians and administrators from the field, strong and articulate consumers, and our talented and hard-working staff are providing the expertise and leadership to make these sessions in Houston a success. We continue to build an amazing, committed community, addressing day-to-day realities while never losing sight of the bigger picture expressed in our Statement of Principles and Mission.

For those of you who could not join us in Houston, materials from this two-day event are available on the National Council's website under Leadership and Advocacy Training.

TAKE ACTION

We have also been finalizing plans for the 2010 National Health Care for the Homeless Conference & Policy Symposium, June 3-5 in San Francisco, with its seventy workshops, five Pre-conference Institutes, and much more. If you have not done so already . . .

1. Register online for the National HCH Conference:

Innovative Approaches: Building on 25 Years of Health Care for the Homeless

2. Support our work to break the deadly link between poor health and homelessness:

Donate to the National Health Care for the Homeless Council
Send us names and email addresses of colleagues or friends who would like to learn of our work or forward this message to them using the Forward email link below

As always, we are grateful for your participation and support.

Sincerely,
JNL signature

John N. Lozier, MSSW | Executive Director
615/226-2292 | www.nhchc.org | jlozier@nhchc.org

HEALTH CARE AND HOUSING ARE HUMAN RIGHTS