Howard Brown Health’s COVID-19 Response
Howard Brown Health strives to take the best possible care of our community. We deeply care about all of our patients, and our staff. Below we highlight some of the ways that we’ve responded to the COVID-19, or novel coronavirus, crisis.
We continue to staff a COVID-19 hotline through our call center (773.388.1600) to address patient concerns and screen by phone, and to provide assessment and supportive care at five clinics. Howard Brown has set up community care stations outside our clinics in Englewood, Lakeview, Uptown, and Rogers Park and is providing care in our street-level outreach space in Hyde Park; our staff are safely equipped to interact with patients, with personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, gowns, and booties.
Howard Brown has also continued the essential services we provide to young people experiencing homelessness at Broadway Youth Center, including meals and linkage to housing and other resources. In Power, one of the few sexual harm response programs that continues to operate in Chicago, is also offering in-person clinical services to assault survivors and tele-support in obtaining orders of protection, safety planning around harm in the house, and checking in with clients.
Telemedicine is now offered across the agency for healthcare and behavioral health, including psychiatry, counseling, support groups, and behavioral health consultation services. We offer case management via electronic communication, including transportation, grocery store gift cards, emergency rental and utility assistance and housing referrals, safety planning, budgeting, and employment support.
Services such as sexual and reproductive health (including PrEP access) and case management are offered electronically when possible. Some services may require an in-person appointment or lab tests at one of our eight clinics that remain open.
Howard Brown continues to expand our care model to meet community needs. Thank you for your support of Howard Brown as we respond to this crisis!