Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons^™

Healthcare Providers Addressing Needs Of Children And Families Experiencing Housing Instability, Meghan Mason, Sia Xiong

Public Health Faculty Scholarship

Background The purpose of this study, spearheaded by the National Network to End Family Homelessness (NNEFH), was to understand the role of primary care providers who serve children and families experiencing homelessness. Specifically, we sought to describe best practices for screening for housing-unstable families and providing optimal care for these patients once identified. Methods We conducted a qualitative study employing semi-structured, in-depth interviews with clinicians and administrators working in healthcare organizations serving children and families. The selection criteria captured rural and urban locations, and three organizational types: academic health affiliates, community health centers, and Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) …