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NYC Shelter Health

Family Health Toolkit

Health Resource Guide for Families with Children Shelters

The Family Health Initiative of the DHS Health Services Office is dedicated to improving the physical and mental health of all families experiencing homelessness in New York City.  Through collaboration with shelter staff and other family-health partners, we aim to empower families to build a foundation for long-term health and stability. 

This toolkit is designed with shelter clinicians and case managers in mind. It brings together resources, referrals, and professional development opportunities to enhance families’ access to health and mental health services.

Client Support Resources

General Resources, Maps, & Locators
Family Health
  • DHS's Child Health and Safety Campaign Webpage provides a comprehensive set of resources on a range of family health and mental health topics.  Check back regularly for new resources!
    • Infant safety
    • Foundations of physical health
    • Parenting resources
    • Nutrition and Exercise
  • H+H Primary Care and Prenatal Care is available at multiple locations around NYC. Call 1-844-4NYC to make an appointment or schedule one online
  • H+H ExpressCare (telehealth) offers 24/7 medical and behavioral health urgent care, online or by phone, with no out-of-pocket cost for DHS clients. Call 845-397-2273
  • Neighborhood Health Services offer neighborhood-specific services to reduce health inequities and improve health outcomes.  Locations in Brooklyn, Harlem, and the Bronx.
Family Mental Health
  • Use the Mental Health Action Toolkit to find resources to support the mental health of children and adults.  This toolkit provides guidance for finding emergency help, hospital-based treatment, help for people having trouble staying connected to care, getting health insurance, and more.
  • The Perinatal and Early Childhood Mental Health Network (ECMHN) Clinics consists of  five specialized clinics that provide mental health services to pregnant and postpartum people, children under 5, and their families.
    • Find the location in your borough here
  • Family Justice Centers provide services for children and adult survivors of domestic- or intimate partner violence, sex trafficking, and elder abuse. 
  • Resources for youth experiencing domestic violence (telehealth): 1-866-331-9474 or text “LOVEIS” to 225522
  • NYC Teenspace (telehealth) and access many informational/promotional materials here; parental consent required
  • Talkspace Go: 2-week self-guided mental health course for teens; parental consent not required 
  • 988 (telehealth): free, 24/7 confidential mental health support and crisis intervention, including suicide prevention and counseling, warm transfers, and follow-up care. 
    • Call 888-NYC-WELL (692-9355); Text WELL to 65173 or chat at nyc.gov/nycwell
  • The Trevor Project (telehealth): provides 24/7 crisis support services to LGBTQ young people. Text (678-678), chat or call (1-866-488-7386) anytime to reach a trained counselor.
  • Children’s Single Point of Access (CSPOA) screens applicants to determine eligibility.  Services are for youth 21 and younger, who have a serious emotional disturbance that interferes with their activities of daily living.  Services are offered on a continuum from care management and care coordination, to intensive community-based services and residential placements.
    • Contact Health Services Office Complex Care Coordination for referrals and assistance with applications: email complexcases@dhs.nyc.gov
  • NYC Family and Youth Peer Support (FYPS) Programs empower and support parents, caregivers, and youth from birth to age 24 experiencing social, emotional, developmental, substance use, or behavioral challenges.  Call 988 for more information and to access services.
  • Adolescent Skill Centers are for adolescents (16-21) who have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder.  Services include educational and vocational support and life skills training to support transition to adulthood.  Call 988 for more information and to access services.
  • OnTrackNY is a network of mental health treatment programs for teens and young adults across New York State who have recently had unusual thoughts, behaviors, or perceptions.
  • The NYS Children’s Waiver Program: To refer a child or youth to the New York State Children's Waiver program, contact the Children and Youth Evaluation Services (C-YES) at (833) 333-CYES (2937)
  • Take steps to ensure the continued safety of a client following a serious incident such as self harm or suicide attempt and create a safety plan using this Safety Planning Template and with instructions for completing here
Substance Use
  • Partnership to End Addiction: Free, confidential, helpline for pregnant and postpartum mothers who are struggling with substance use. 
    • Text CONNECT to 55753
  • Find Community-based substance use care using the program and provider search from the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) provider and program search)
  • Find fact sheets, resources for clients and shelter staff, links to referrals, and more on the Harm Reduction Toolkit. 
Prenatal and Maternal Health and Mental Health

  • NYC Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) provides no-cost nurse home visits to first-time pregnant families before 28 weeks of pregnancy.  Families meet regularly with a personal nurse to discuss pregnancy, parenting, and child health and can get help connecting to other services.

  • Citywide Doula Initiative (CDI) provides no-cost doula services from trained professionals who educate and support pregnant people before birth, through labor and delivery, and for the first few months after birth.

  • Learn about mood and anxiety disorders related to childbirth and where to find help, from the NYC Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health, from the NYC Department of Health,

    • Call the Free State-wide helpline at 855-631-0001 or the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline 24/7 at 1-833-TLC-MAMA

  • The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Early Childhood Mental Health Network (ECMHN) provide specialized Mental Health services for pregnant people and caregivers of newborns

  • Partnership to End Addiction: Free, confidential, helpline for pregnant and postpartum mothers who are struggling with substance use, or text CONNECT to 55753

Early Intervention & Child Development
  • Newborn Home Visiting Program (NHVP) supports families with an infant up to 3 months old by connecting them with a community health worker, nurse, social worker, or certified lactation counselor to receive support on baby development, adjusting to parenthood, breastfeeding support, access to essential items, and health education and screenings.
    • Call 718-466-7013
  • The NYC H+H Healthy Steps program provides enhanced pediatric primary care. 
  • Early Intervention services support families with children from birth to age 3 who have disabilities or developmental delays.  Submit a referral to begin the process. 
    • Search for youth afterschool, jobs/internships, family support, educational, and legal services for youth and families using DYCD Connect
  • ACS Prevention Services: Call 212-676-7667 or email OPTA@acs.nyc.gov to connect the family to a prevention program based on their needs. Browse programs/providers on ACS Connect Me
Schooling and Special Education
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
  • ACS Developmental Disabilities Unit (DDU) is a technical assistance unit that works to support families – adults and children – with intellectual or developmental disabilities.  The Essential Parenting Supports program provides parenting skills and training for caregivers with a suspected or diagnosed cognitive disability. Email DDUParentingSkills@acs.nyc.gov.
  • New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) provides care coordination, services, and benefits for people with disabilities. Find specific eligibility guidelines and criteria here.
  • Start the process for a client with a developmental disability by calling the OPWDD Information Line at 1-866-946-9733 Front Door | Office for People With Developmental Disabilities or contact a Care Coordination Organization:
  • Advance Care Alliance 833-MYACANY (833-692-2269) https://acany.org
  • Care Design 518-235-1888 www.caredesignny.org

Staff Training & Professional Development

Live Trainings

  • "Understanding Trauma & Building Positive Environments in Shelter Training": Recommended for all NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Families with Children (FWC) front-line staff. This training will provide an overview of childhood trauma,  Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES), and how to recognize signs of stress in children.  Participants will learn tips and strategies to support positive childhood experiences in shelter to strengthen family resilience and improve health outcomes. Learn more and register
On-Demand Learning Resources
  • Absorb. Access on-demand courses from DSS, DHS, and HRA, such as trauma-informed care, harm reduction, suicide prevention, crisis Intervention, motivational interviewing, and more on this internal learning platform.
  • DSS Office of Disability Affairs Lunch and Learns. View recorded trainings on a range of topics related to supporting individuals with disabilities, from supportive housing 101 to navigating service systems for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
  • CUCS Live training (some for Continuing Education Credits, some at a fee) on topics related to housing, behavioral health, case management, substance use, and more.
  • Academy for Community Behavioral Health. Offers free single-session, multi-session, and self-paced training opportunities for NYC social service providers. Register to join their email list and automatically receive notifications about available courses.
  • Adapt Family Connect. View recorded webinars, register for live trainings, and access resources for families with a child with a disability. Learn about supporting individuals with autism, navigating the special education system, and more.
  • Perinatal and Early Childhood Mental Health Network Training and Technical Assistance Center. Access live and recorded training modules related to early childhood mental health. Join their listserv to stay in the know.

Client Referral Resources

Universal Telehealth
  • ExpressCare: Call (845) 397-2273 or visit www.expresscare.nyc/dhs online for medical and behavioral health urgent care and treatment, available 24/7 with no out-of-pocket cost for DHS clients
  • NYC Teenspace: Free online therapy and mental health support for NYC teens ages 13 to 17. Provided by licensed therapists who specialize in teams.
  • 988: Free confidential mental health support via phone, text or chat. Available 24/7.
New Family Home Visits Initiative
Offers no-cost home visits from trained health workers to expectant and new parents and connects them with community support, services, and referrals.

Fact Sheets, Job Aids, & Desk Guides for Staff

  • Enhancing Mental Health Services to Families in Shelter (LL35) Fact Sheet
  • Social Work Licensing Fact Sheet
  • NYC Public School Enrollment and Special Education Services Fact Sheet
  • Health Promotion Fact Sheet
  • Care Coordination Job Aid 

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