PORT ANGELES — The Clallam County Health and Human Services Department will be receiving $483,320 in American Rescue Plan Act, or COVID-19 funds, to establish a two-year pilot program for medical respite care for the homeless.
Olympic Healthcare Network or Olympic Medical Center could take it on after two years, said Clallam County Health Officer Karrisa McLane.
“I am anxious to see the results. That is the direction we are headed,” said Clallam County Commissioner Randy Johnson when asked when the funding would be approved.
McLane said respite care is for the homeless after they have suffered an illness or injury but no longer qualify for hospital care.
“It’s a huge need,” she said.
The county identified the need late last year after a man was discharged from the hospital but refused entry at Serenity House because they lacked the staffing for the medical care the person required, McLane said.
The funding would pay for coordinator and supervisor, rent, transportation, equipment and medical and office supplies, according to a PowerPoint presentation to the commissioners.
The coordinator at Serenity House would provide the bulk of the medical support, which is a big need, McLane said. Then Serenity House staff would provide weekend and after-hours support.
“They already are doing that, so they are enthusiastic about it,” McLane said. “Instead of calling 9-1-1, they can call North Olympic Health Network to determine if the person just needs something or needs to be taken to the hospital.”
McLane said according to the Community Needs Index, people discharged from the hospital but are unable to find shelter and end back in the hospital account for an average of 1,390 hospital visits a year in the county.
McLane said Clallam County scored a four out of five on the Community Needs Index. It is a national survey that produces an average score of five barriers (income, culture, education, insurance and housing) that measure various socio-economic indicators of each community using the 2020 source data.
The 2021 Point in Time census counted 187 people as unsheltered homeless in Clallam County.
McLane said they encounter at least one of these situations a week. The highest needs are rest, transportation to appointments, medication management and follow-up, she said, adding there are different levels of care for different populations.
Clallam County doesn’t have the staffing to provide what Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center’s Edward Thomas House program does, but it also doesn’t have the same population, McLane said.
The Yakima Health Services program provides apartments and case workers while Tacoma’s program is shelter-based like Clallam’s, she said.
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Reporter Brian Gawley can be reached by email at brian.gawley@peninsuladailynews.com.
