The latest edition of Opening Doors focuses on the impact of domestic violence on homeless women, children, and youth.

The issue looks at the New York Children’s Health Project, a program designed to lessen the trauma experienced by homeless persons who are victims of domestic violence. The program also helps professionals make better diagnoses and interventions. 

Research shows that as many as half of all homeless women and children have experienced or are fleeing abuse.

The issue also highlights innovative approaches to delivering health care to homeless adolescents, such as:

• a project in New York that responds to the unique health care and psychological needs of homeless victims of abuse;

• the National Network for Youth, which helps grantee organizations adapt their services to meet the needs of homeless youth; and

• two programs in California that work with community-based organizations to provide mobile health care for homeless youth.  The Health Van in Santa Clara and San Francisco uses a multidisciplinary team that helps homeless youth with a range of counseling services, including nutrition and personal counseling; the Street Outreach Services (SOS) Mobile Van in San Francisco travels to gathering places for homeless people to deliver basic medical care.

Opening Doors is published quarterly by HRSA's Health Care for the Homeless Program.  For more information on the program, click on  http://bphc.hrsa.gov/homeless or call 301-594-4430.

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