Chicago Department of Public HealthCommissioner Bechara Choucair, M.D.
City of ChicagoMayor Rahm Emanuel
Local Strategies to Address Homelessness
Susan L. Neibacher Address2014 National Health Care for the Homeless Conference & Policy
Symposium
Bechara Choucair, MDCommissioner
Chicago Department of Public Health
@choucair #HCHnola
Uncontrolled Diabetes Hospital Discharge Rates, Chicago Residents, 2007
Healthy Chicago
Anti-Tobacco Efforts
Three Policy Changes:
• Increased Cigarette Tax
• Regulate E-Cigarettes
• Banned Flavored Tobacco Sales Near Schools
Regulating ElectronicCigarettes
Ban of Flavored TobaccoSales Near Schools
Public Awareness Campaigns Reinforce Need for Change
…and it’s working
A Home for Everyone
Strategic Priorities
1. The Crisis Response System
2. Access to Stable and Affordable Housing
3. Youth Homelessness
4. Employment
5. Advocacy and Civic Engagement
6. Cross-Systems Integration
7. Capacity Building
SAMHSA Chicago CommunityConsortium (SCCC)
• Three-year strategic plan developed in 2013
• Annual Report Highlights:• Over 200 new permanent
supportive housing units
• Over 5,000 enrolled in Chicago Central Referral System (CRS) Database
• 15 bridge units created
• Enrollment of thousands into CountyCare
Neighbor Carts &Urban Farms
Ongoing Efforts
• Double Value Coupon ProgramMake it feasible for families to purchase healthy, locally grown food.
• Minimum Wage Working GroupProvide a living wage in the City of Chicago for all workers
• Consent by Minors to Medical Procedures ActEmpower youth living on their own to make medical decisions.
A Story of Three Patients
facebook.com/ChicagoPublicHealth@ChiPublicHealth
312.747.9884
www.CityofChicago.org/Health
