To improve the health and well-being of persons experiencing homelessness in Oakland County
Connecting community and health care organizations to coordinate resources for persons experiencing homelessness
The Homeless Healthcare Collaboration is a network of representatives from multiple service providers (such as human service providers, housing agencies, mental health care providers, health care providers, and hospitals) that identify concerns, share ideas, and develop plans that address the needs of Oakland County’s homeless and vulnerable populations. The Collaboration has played a key role in assisting local and state government entities in implementing programs that will positively affect persons experiencing homelessness in Oakland County, identifying gaps in the community that affect the quality of life for persons experiencing homelessness, and connecting first responders and providers with resources to assist in working with persons experiencing homelessness in their community. Over the last twenty years, the Homeless Healthcare Collaboration was recognized with an Achievement Award from The National Association of Counties (NACO) and named a Model Practice by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO).
In 2025 the Homeless Healthcare Collaboration became an ad hoc committee, with members actively engaged in new initiatives that include the Oakland County Blueprint to End Homelessness and Wellness Wednesdays at Baldwin Center.
For more information or to be added to the Homeless Healthcare Collaboration listserv, contact Genessa Doolittle at 248-496-4590 or doolittleg@oakgov.com.
Addressing the need of follow-up care for individuals who are experiencing homelessness, being discharged from the hospital, and/or frequent users of the emergency department.
In 2020 the Hospital Transition Workgroup became an ad-hoc committee, and as such will convene when specific action items arise.
A key barrier for people seeking employment, housing, utilities, medical care, and participation in essential programs and services that support a healthy and successful life is their inability to obtain legal identification. This may include state issued driver's license as well as other ID cards which help a person to access programs and services. Vital documents, such as a birth certificate, divorce papers, social security cards, are often additional documentation necessary to support this process.
The ID Task Force is a subgroup of the Homeless Healthcare Collaboration (HHC) dedicated to breaking barriers for individuals who do not have proper identification, which leads to the inability to receive services, secure a job, and open a bank account or vote. State agencies as well as human service agencies throughout Michigan identify barriers and possible solutions to ensure that those who are homeless have a realistic way to obtain identification documents. We have partnered with a variety of groups that are working collectively to achieve this goal including:
Recent accomplishments include partnering with Oakland County Clerk, Lisa Brown, to implement a vital document fee reduction / waiver for people who are experiencing homelessness. This makes it easier for those with economic need to secure these vital documents from Oakland County without delay. It's been so successful that similar models have been implemented by other Michigan counties who participate in the ID Task Force.
We are also working with the Michigan Secretary of State on a pilot program to streamline the State ID process for people experiencing homelessness. Documents such as utility bills or a lease are impossible to produce for someone experiencing homelessness. This pilot allows for the use of some "exception" documents which meet the proof standard for legal presence but are accessible to the individual.
If you would like to know more about the Identification Task Force, please contact Genessa Doolittle at 248-496-4590 or doolittleg@oakgov.com