HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 6905 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 6905
a�P if R,11TI To the Mayor and Members of the City Council January 10, 1984
Subject: HEALTH CARE FOR THE HOMELESS
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Over the past few months, the local media has drawn increasing attention
to the plight of homeless persons, a social problem of which the nation -
particularly its urban centers - has become more and more aware. A
number of local agencies have served the homeless for many years with
food, shelter, medical assistance, and emergency aid. The recent state
of the national economy and the reduction in governmental assistance
have both increased the numbers and changed the make-up of the homeless.
In response to this awareness, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Pew
Memorial Trust, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors are sponsoring the
Health Care for the Homeless Program. The program is summarized as
follows:
The Health Care for the Homeless Program offers as many
as 14 cities, four-year grants of up to $1.4 million each
for the development and implementation of demonstration
projects to deliver health services to homeless people.
Coalitions of health professionals and institutions, voluntary
organizations, religious groups, and public agencies in our
nation's 50 most populous cities are eligible to apply. The
aim of the program is to meet the basic health care needs of
CC the homeless, improve their access to other needed services
and public benefits, and encourage organized, City-wide
efforts to address the full range of problems that homeless
people face.
It is the intent of City staff in the Public Health and Housing and
Human Services Departments to facilitate an interaction of appropriate
local agencies in order to:
a) examine the nature and extent of Fort Worth's homeless
population, and its health needs;
b) review existing accessibility and delivery of health services
to this population;
c) determine what type of coordinative effort is needed, if
any; and,
d) if there is a defined local need, the staff at a later date,
will propose methods for meeting that need to the Mayor and
City Council, including the preparation of a proposal.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER -- FORT WORTH, TEXAS
{ INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 6905 - p.2
0 P1,NlO
FFfORT�p To the Mayor and Members of the City Council January 10, 1984
S
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rExay. Subject: HEALTH CARE FOR THE HOMELESS
The program timetable is as follows:
a) March 1, 1984: Deadline for receipt of letters of interest.
b) July 1, 1984: Deadline for receipt of applications.
c) October 15, 1984: Completion of review of applications and
site visits to selected applicants.
d) December 31, 1984: Grant recipients announced.
The program requires the active involvement and participation of local
governments and the endorsement of the Mayor. Unless otherwise directed,
the staff will prepare a letter of interest for the Mayor's signature
to be sent to the Health Care for the Homeless Program. The letter of
interest will not be prepared until after staff meets with other local
groups and determines the extent of need. If the need exists an appli-
cation will be fully developed and the City Council will have an
opportunity to review and approve the application.
�-% If additional information is required, it will be provided upon request.
o Robert L. Herchert
City Manager
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ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER -- FORT WORTH, TEXAS