Delivering care to the streets

St. Francis Hospital's management team has collaborated with other community organizations to respond to the very real needs of the homeless and indigent in Wilmington, DE. St. Francis Hospital has developed two innovative programs: St. Clare Medical Outreach and Tiny Steps. Recognizing that the poor and indigent find transportation, clinic schedules, and intimidating paperwork to be major barriers to healthcare, St. Francis Hospital and its partner in this collaborative ministry, Ministry of Caring, sought a creative approach that would bring healthcare to Wilmington's needy in a nonthreatening way, while also offering continuity of care. St. Clare Medical Outreach van staff began administering much-needed healthcare services on April 27, 1992. For years, St. Francis Hospital has supported a pediatric clinic at West End Neighborhood House, an organization offering a variety of family-related services to the indigent. In September 1992 the hospital collaborated with other community organizations to offer a more comprehensive, holistic healthcare service to those in need. This joint-venture of St. Francis Hospital and 11 other community organizations is designed to lower the infant mortality rate by identifying high-risk pregnancies early on and managing complications during pregnancy and after birth.