Programs and Services

The Samaritan Homeless Clinic provides “complete package” health care that includes health and wellness services—medical, dental, podiatry, and vision. The clinic also provides psychiatric, mental health, and chemical dependency counseling; social work; recuperative care; health education programming; and life skills classes for our patients. All patients are served regardless of ability to pay. Since 98% of homeless people fall below the poverty line, no patient is billed for an on-site service.

Medical Services

The Samaritan Homeless Clinic is staffed with a full-time physician and a dedicated nursing team. In addition to providing medical exams, prescription medications, and basic lab work, the clinic also offers:

• Immunizations
• Electrocardiograms (EKGs)
• STD testing
• PAP smears
• Breast exams
• Nutrition education for diabetics
• Blood draws for labs
• Pregnancy testing
• HIV testing
• Urine screening

Podiatry Services

On the third Thursday of every month, podiatry services are available to our patients at the Samaritan Homeless Clinic. Because homeless people are on their feet for great lengths of time, this service is valuable at identifying and treating ailments such as:

• Heel pain
• Spurs
• Achilles tendonitis
• Bunions
• Hammer toes
• Corns
• Calluses
• Infections
• Abscesses
• Warts

Dental Services

Teeth too often get neglected, and some patients have never seen a dentist or hygienist. This is why our dentist and hygienist, while doing emergency exams, encourage patients to get routine dental exams and cleanings. In addition to those dental services, the Samaritan Homeless Clinic provides:

• Fillings
• Extractions
• Periodontal services
• Dentures and partials
• Oral cancer screenings

VisionServices

The Samaritan Homeless Clinic works in partnership with the Dayton Optometric Center, where patients receive eye exams and can choose frames for glasses.

Psychiatric Services and Mental Health Counseling

Wright State University psychiatry professors supervise medical residents as they assess, diagnose, and offer individual counseling and treatment plans for Samaritan Homeless Clinic patients. They also provide medication management for patients.

In addition, we also have a mental health counselor who works with patients one-on-one and in group settings to assist with issues such as:

• Stress and anger management
• Relaxation and meditation training
• Dealing with loss
• Depression
• Crisis intervention

Chemical Dependency Counseling

We know that overcoming substance abuse is often an important step to getting one’s life back on track. That’s why we have a dedicated chemical dependency counselor.

Our services include:

• Individual and group alcohol and/or drug therapy
• Group recovery education
• Referrals to CrisisCare for alcohol and drug treatment assessment
• Life goal assessments
• Motivational Support before and during residential treatment

Medical Social Work and Case Management

Our on-site social workers provide patient intakes and referrals to internal and external sources for services. They also conduct the time-intensive interview and documentation work necessary to enroll patients for Social Security Disability. Other social work services include Medicaid applications, basic case management, hygiene kits, shoes, transportation, and advocacy for specialty services.

Recuperative Care

The goal of recuperative care is to provide sick patients with a healthy respite from the streets. To that end, we lease three off-site apartments where homeless patients who are too ill to live in the shelter system or on the streets can recover. This temporary housing comes with three meals a day and medical supervision. Patients also get help with transportation and have access to all other services offered by the Samaritan Homeless Clinic.

Educational Programming and Life Skills Classes

We offer classes every day that are designed to help patients live a healthy life. Topics include:

• RPC (Recovery in Progress)
• Health education
• Anger management
• Stress management
• Relationships
• Information on accessing other services

The Samaritan Homeless Clinic also assists with basic life skills through a continuing education series; classes repeat monthly, with topics ranging from first aid and food and nutrition to spirituality and money management. Patients get referrals for extended study if needed.

The Education Program is provided with funding from Standard Register.