Special Programs

Lifeworks Street Outreach Clinic

The LifeWorks Street Outreach Program (LWSOP) clinic provides weekly medical care and health outreach for homeless, street dependent, at-risk or runaway youth ages 16-23.  The Clinic is a collaboration with the Lifeworks Street Outreach Program.

The Clinic offers easily accessible medical assessment and treatment, wellness exams, health education, immunizations, STD testing, family planning and other preventive health services.  The Clinic is operated by a nurse practitioner, medical assistant and clinic coordinator/health educator and has a small on-site pharmacy.  Lifeworks providers collaborate with the Chronic Disease Management Program and the Nutrition Education and Health Psychology Program at People's to address additional or more intensive health needs of patients.

Collaboration with the Lifeworks Street Outreach Program offers People's the ability to provide comprehensive and holistic patient care. The street outreach program provides counseling, case management, substance abuse prevention education, food, support groups, bus passes, clothing and personal hygiene supplies. People's providers work closely with Lifeworks social workers to manage all the health needs of street youth.  In addition to the on-site LWSOP location, health educators are able to provide outreach and health education twice weekly during Lifeworks meals that are available to any street youth.  This includes information about the LWSOP Clinic, appointment making, family planning education, medical triage and follow-up for medical care.

The LifeWorks' Street Outreach is the only program of its kind in Austin providing outreach and support services to homeless, runaway and street dependent youth. The LWSOP Clinic provides easily accessible healthcare in a supportive, secure environment. The initial goal is to provide primary medical care and risk reduction counseling to improve the health of each patient. The ultimate goal of the LWSOP is to get the youth into stable housing and eliminate or reduce substance abuse. Medical care and counseling help to connect homeless youth to these other services that transition them off the street.