Clinical staff are encouraged to use these resources to support shelter clients with serious mental illness and other medical issues.

Client Referral Resources

• NYC Health + Hospitals (H+H) Community Provider Referral Services: Refer patients to H+H specialists through EpicCare Link and access real-time results and notifications on your patient's care.
  

Client Database Access 

• DHS Provider System Access Request: The DHS Provider System Access Request (PSAR) app allows DHS shelter providers to request access to DSS/DHS systems (CARES, StreetSmart, BCS, HOME, CurRENT, the S-Drive, DHS New Needs), change existing access rights, terminate rights, or to ask for status updates on existing requests.
  

Clinical Training on Caring for Patients Experiencing Homelessness

• Clinical Education Initiative: NYS Department of Health's AIDS Institute offering CE-accredited trainings and technical assistance on topics including:
  • Buprenorphine prescribing for beginners
  • Pain management for people who use opioids
  • Implementing the 72-hour rule to manage acute opioid withdrawal symptoms
  • Clinical practice guidelines for treating stimulant use disorders
  • Clinical practice guidelines for treating alcohol use disorders
  • Responding to xylazine overdose
• Clinical Education Initiative Trainings to Satisfy the DEA Education Requirement on Substance Use Disorders (Online, CME): This learning pathway satisfies the DEA and SAMHSA eight-hour training requirement on the treatment and management of patients with opioid and other substance use disorders. Required for practitioners applying for or renewing a DEA license, the courses below provide evidence-based approaches to caring for patients with substance use disorders and support safe, effective clinical practice.
  
• NYC Homeless Healthcare Fellowship: One-year fellowship for board-eligible/certified physicians in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine or Emergency Medicine to gain direct patient care experience in shelters, mobile units and on the streets and receive training and mentored scholarly work.
• National Health Care for the Homeless Council Online Courses: Courses for clinicians and administrators on medical respite care, behavioral health, discharge planning, de-escalation and other homeless health care topics.
• SAMHSA Homeless and Housing Resource Center Training Courses: Courses on social work care for people experiencing homelessness with serious mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, substance use disorders and on advance care planning.