New Grant Funds Nursing Staff for Oregon Homeless Center

• Oregon currently has the 4th highest rate of homelessness in the United States, with a 28% increase from 2022 to 2023.
• The Shepherd’s House in Bend, OR, has hired its first nursing staff, Amber Knapp, to provide more holistic care to homeless patients in Central Oregon.
• Funding for Nurse Knapp’s position comes from PacificForce Community Solutions and the Central Oregon Health Council has awarded a grant to the Shepherd’s House.

A Central Oregon non-profit has brought a nurse onto their staff to provide medical care for the local homeless population. The Shepherd’s House hired nurse Amber Knapp in January.

According to an announcement from Shepherd’s House, Nurse Knapp will coordinate medical care, engage in wound care, foster improved communication with other medical providers, and oversee hospice care at homes provided by the organization. Her work will hopefully reduce stigma for homeless patients, who face increased chronic health risks compared to the general population.

Funding for Nurse Knapp’s hiring came as part of a two-year grant from PacificSource Community Solutions, with a matched contribution from the Central Oregon Health Council.

This article will detail the growing homeless population in Central Oregon, initiatives to serve these communities, and how nurses like Nurse Knapp can help by providing accessible healthcare.

Homelessness in Central Oregon

Currently, Oregon has the 4th highest rate of homelessness in the United States.

When researching homelessness, the Federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Agency uses the term Continuum of Care (CoC) to describe groups of counties that share social services’ resources. The rate of homelessness in Central Oregon CoC, which contains Bend, OR, is ranked 23 out of 384.

From 2022 to 2023, Bend, OR (where Shepherd’s House is located) saw a 28% increase in its homeless population. 45% of the current homeless population has lived in the area for over 20 years.

Central Oregon’s Public Housing Authority also partnered with the Shepherd’s House in October 2023 to create the area’s first permanent supportive housing development. 

This permanent supportive housing development is part of a 2019 investment by the state to create 1,000 permanent supportive housing units by 2024. This goal was reached in July of last year but has continued expanding. 

The Shepherd’s House

Shepherd’s House Ministries is a non-profit organization that started in 2005. With only a handful of community members, they worked to provide basic needs to the local homeless population.

The organization has since grown and aims to holistically address all aspects of a person’s life and health when facing homelessness. They offer a six-phase program, which can take anywhere from six months to two years.

During this program, Shepherd’s House provides food, clothing, housing, and any necessary classes on addiction, health, and wellness. During phase four, the program also offers job training.

In a 2015 article, David Notari, the Director of development, stated that the Shepherd’s House program has a success rate of 78% to 85%. Notari still works with the organization to coordinate donors and gifts.

The Shepherd’s House was able to bring Nurse Amber Knapp onto their staff due to a grant from PacificSource’s Foundation for Health Improvement in partnership with the Central Oregon Health Council (COHC).

Evan Hendrix, a director at the Shepherd’s House, states that Nurse Knapp has made an immediate impact on the quality of care they can provide.

Nurse’s Role in Caring for Homeless Populations

People experiencing homelessness are at a greater risk of chronic diseases, comorbidities, and physical limitations compared to the general population. This is due to their lack of access to reliable healthcare, leading to untreated health issues.

For nurses who want to help provide accessible healthcare, working at a shelter may be a great career choice. However, this is not possible for all non-profits providing for homeless populations.

In order to legally hire a nurse, organizations must be registered as a Federal Qualified Health Center or another type of healthcare agency. Shelters may also choose to partner with a preexisting health center, such as a public health department, which then provides nursing staff.

Another option is street medicine, a form of outreach where nurses and other healthcare professionals provide direct care to homeless patients wherever they are currently located. This form of care can further reduce accessibility barriers by allowing nurses to connect with homeless patients and better understand their health priorities.

Nurses interested in specializing in this type of work may want to consider public health nursing, which includes unique certifications that help prepare nurses for a job with the CDC, local health departments, and even the Peace Corps. 

The Bottom Line

Nurse Knapp will be able to act as a liaison between homeless patients and other local care providers, reducing the stigma that patient’s may face when trying to access care. Her role is one of the many ways nurses can care for their communities outside of traditional healthcare facilities.

The Shepherd House’s continued support from other local health organizations showcases their continued desire to grow and provide holistic care for the homeless population in Central Oregon. By taking on Nurse Knapp, patients will now have a permanent advocate and care provider. 

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