StreetReach, a nurse-led healthcare program, is providing direct medical care to unsheltered and intermittently housed individuals in Reno, according to an April 27 announcement. The initiative aims to address barriers faced by people who are disconnected from traditional healthcare settings by offering services such as wound care, bloodborne virus testing, and connections to ongoing health and social support.
The program matters because many people living on the streets face significant challenges accessing regular medical care. StreetReach seeks to reduce these obstacles by delivering low-barrier, relationship-based services directly in the community. Outreach occurs three afternoons each week around 4th street and includes dedicated clinic hours at Village on Sage.
Professor Jasen Brooks, MSN, RN, CNL said that working outside of traditional clinical environments allows for more holistic patient care: “Working without a clock, without multiple tasks to pull you away from the person you are caring for; this is what real holistic care really can be. Sure, the wind blows away your supplies, and you might be sitting on a curb in the rain, and it is uncomfortable, but that discomfort reminds us of what our unhoused neighbors experience. That is their reality on a day-to-day basis. Caring for our unhoused neighbors centers me and refocuses me on what nursing and healthcare should be.”
Rather than one-time interactions with patients, StreetReach emphasizes ongoing engagement so providers can build trust with those they serve. Brooks said: “We are building a system of mutual trust and wellbeing. Many of the people we work with remind us of the bias against our unhoused neighbors in traditional healthcare settings. Here, we have an opportunity to shift away from those implicit prejudices and move back toward non-judgmental care. We need to show up with an honest, caring approach to help heal the wounds of systemic inequities but it will take time to do so.”
The team consists of professionals from nursing, public health and community outreach backgrounds including Jane Fox; Natalie Davidson; Jasdeep Buttar; Cary Ballard (Larson Institute at School of Public Health); Theresa Watts; Jasen Brooks; Molly Kokenge (Orvis School of Nursing). Professor Watts said: “So far our team has completed 28 blood draws provided 12 wound care services and conducted 17 nursing assessments or referrals for additional care… We are helping people become aware of their HIV and hepatitis status and opening doors for timely follow-up care.”
Looking ahead StreetReach plans expansion involving nursing/public health students which will increase its capacity while offering hands-on learning opportunities. The program receives support from local partners such as Northern Nevada HOPES Community Health Alliance Washoe County Human Services Volunteers of America Village on Sage Renown Health Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center.
Professor Kokenge described collaboration as key: “A core strength of this work is our collaboration with community clinical and acute care partners alongside leadership… Our goal is meet people where they are deliver high-quality low-barrier care then thoughtfully link them ongoing services within continuum… Many have experienced healthcare-related trauma or mistrust traditional systems which why model so powerful… By showing up consistently addressing immediate needs working hand-in-hand trusted partners already deep relationships community able build plans responsive respectful grounded trust”.
As part of its broader commitment as a Carnegie R1 Community Engaged University University Nevada Reno supports initiatives like StreetReach which provide compassionate accessible healthcare while fostering lasting partnerships throughout Reno.