This grant will pay the salary of a full-time, bilingual case manager to work with people who experience persistent problems related to homelessness.  

People who are unsheltered experience high rates of physical and mental illness, exacerbated by malnutrition, exposure to the elements, and unsanitary conditions. Doctors Without Walls provides street medicine, but many clients need more intensive services to address underlying causes of homelessness.  

Enhanced Care Management (ECM) is a proven approach that offers intensive and comprehensive care to people who struggle with persistent problems associated with homelessness. Instead of one-time, urgent care with limited follow-up, ECM clients receive ongoing, coordinated, whole-person care.  

The case manager will develop trust and meet regularly with clients to assess needs and build connections with services. The person will accompany clients to appointments, follow up with critical referrals, help manage medications and ensure prescriptions are filled, assist with Medi-Cal enrollment, and provide help in obtaining housing.  

Doctors Without Walls - Santa Barbara Street Medicine website