Expanded clinic, mobile unit enhances homeless healthcare

Local leaders celebrated Bayside Health Clinic’s reopening Friday after an expansion project nearly doubled its size and enabled it to offer homeless residents mental health and substance use services.

They also unveiled a new Mobil Medical Unit that travels to homeless encampments, shelters, drop-in centers and treatment facilities. The new vehicle features two private exam rooms, a private counseling space and lab drawing and intake areas.

The project received $2.2 million in federal and local grant funding. Pinellas County Human Services opened the clinic in 2016, and director Karen Yatchum said its success precipitated the expansion.

“I think what’s so special about this renovation is that it really brings another modern touch to the care we deliver,” Yatchum said. “Our residents deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and a clean and beautiful space to receive their health care – just like we do.”

Karen Yatchum, director of Human Services, addresses attendees at the July 26 ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The expansion adds four behavioral health offices, four new exam rooms, an additional dental facility with three chairs, a conference room, improved office space for service coordination and storage areas. The county contracts the Department of Health to provide primary, nursing and dental care.

The Bayside Health Clinic is adjacent to the Pinellas County Jail, and less than two miles from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport. Yatchum said it is “20 feet” from the expansive Safe Harbor homeless facility.

The clinic has provided over 7,000 homeless patients with medical and dental care through more than 31,000 visits since 2016. However, Commissioner Charlie Justice noted the need for behavioral health services has increased dramatically since the pandemic.

He also stressed the importance of offering accessible care with privacy and dignity. Justice said the clinic and mobile unit would mitigate barriers for the unhoused and uninsured.

“We don’t want illnesses to go untreated,” Justice added. “We don’t want our patients ending up using the ER as their primary care.”

The project added 2,400 square feet to the previously 3,000-square-foot clinic. The facility operates under the county’s Health Care for the Homeless initiative.

Local nonprofits are supporting the initiative. Dr. Ulyee Choe, director of the Florida Department of Health – Pinellas County, said Directions for Living will help provide mental health care. Operation PAR (Parental Awareness and Responsibility) will assist with substance use disorders.

“This is important,” Choe said. “Behavioral health really goes hand in hand with physical health. We need to treat the whole individual in an integrated manner, and these partners enable us to do so.”

Despite its impact, Choe said the clinic is “just a small component” of the Health Care for the Homeless program. He noted that the mobile unit and street medicine team meet people in need “where they are.”

Pinellas County’s street medicine team also received a new vehicle.

Justice explained that the street team engages people who have never received health care from the clinic or the county’s mobile unit. And the old vehicle was just that – old. “If you’ve seen that vehicle, you know it was time to be replaced,” he added.

In addition to the new 45-foot mobile facility, county officials purchased a new van for the street team. Eric Bell, communications designer, provided welcoming artwork for the vehicle.

The project received $1.34 million in capital grants from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and Health Resources & Services Administration. The county provided $520,000 in capital improvement funding and dedicated $352,250 in remaining American Rescue Plan Act dollars.

Edi Erb, chief compliance officer for St. Vincent De Paul Cares and chair of the Health Care for the Homeless board, believes the upgraded facilities will increase patient participation. In addition, the improvements will provide better working conditions for staff.

“It also helps the greater community … for generations to come,” Erb said. “This is just the beginning.”

Greg Dow, a longtime patient at the clinic, credited staff for helping him realize he needed help. He explained that many people have trouble accepting assistance or think they are “too good for the program.”

Dow believes the additional behavioral services will significantly impact the area’s homeless community. He wants people to realize that local resources are available.

“We need to help each other,” Dow added. “That’s what it’s all about.”

Commissioner Charlie Justice (center) and other stakeholders cut a ceremonial ribbon for the expanded facility at 14808 49th St. N.