PHOENIX [June 7, 2021] – A new Crews’n Healthmobile will soon roll through the Valley to serve the city’s most vulnerable children. A mainstay of Phoenix Children’s Homeless Youth Outreach program, the new “doctor’s office on wheels” will deliver integrated medical and behavioral health services directly to youth experiencing homeless across greater Phoenix.

The 38-foot Crews’n Healthmobile, one of three in Phoenix Children’s fleet, was funded by a donation from the Garcia Family Foundation. The unit was built to Phoenix Children’s specifications and includes two complete exam rooms, a waiting area, a triage room, an onboard laboratory, a well-stocked pharmacy, an array of medical supplies and hygiene items to address a wide range of health care needs. It will hit the streets later this spring.

“The Phoenix Children’s Hospital Homeless Youth Outreach program is extraordinary,” Jon Ehlinger, President, Garcia Family Foundation noted. “The Crews’n Healthmobile medical professionals are committed to youth experiencing homelessness, some of our state’s most challenged.  They are connecting and engaging these youth where they live, on the streets, and providing them with essential care in a respectful and dignified manner.  We are very pleased and honored to have the opportunity to partner with such a great organization and team.” 

“We are thrilled to launch this new Crews’n Healthmobile and grateful beyond words for the donation that funded this unit,” said Sarah Beaumont, MD, medical director Phoenix Children’s Homeless Youth Outreach program. “Only with the support of our partners can we provide services that many children so desperately need.”

Indeed, the Valley’s population of children and youth experiencing homelessness is large and growing with far too many youth living on the streets. These children and teens are at heightened risk of illness, injury, depression and sexual exploitation, and most lack access to even basic health services.

Phoenix Children’s Homeless Outreach Program, which covers more than 30 miles across the metro area, treats patients up to 24 years old who are experiencing homelessness or at-risk of becoming homeless. Providers offer comprehensive no-cost health services, from preventive and acute medical care to complete behavioral health care and medication management.

“Up to 70% of the children we treat are facing severe depression, anxiety, trauma and other serious issues,” said Dr. Beaumont. “Our providers take an integrated approach to each child’s care, with medical staff working in tandem with behavioral health providers and other specialists to address kids’ physical and mental health needs.”

The launch of the new Crews’n Healthmobile coincides with the 20th anniversary of Phoenix Children’s Homeless Youth Outreach program. What started as one mobile medical unit hosting four weekly clinics has expanded to a fleet of three Crews’n Healthmobiles that travel to shelters, group homes, drop-in centers and schools across the metro area, and four fixed-site clinics at UMOM New Day Center, Phoenix Dream Center, Children First Leadership Academy and Youth Development Institute. 

Today, the Homeless Youth Outreach program offers more than 30 half-day clinics every week and completes 8,000-12,000 visits each year. The program is largely funded through philanthropic donations.

About Phoenix Children’s

Phoenix Children’s is one of the nation’s largest pediatric health systems. It comprises Phoenix Children’s Hospital–Main Campus, Phoenix Children’s Hospital–East Valley at Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, four pediatric specialty and urgent care centers, 11 community pediatric practices, 20 outpatient clinics, two ambulatory surgery centers and six community-service-related outpatient clinics throughout the state of Arizona. The system has provided world-class inpatient, outpatient, trauma, emergency and urgent care to children and families for more than 35 years. Phoenix Children’s Care Network includes more than 850 pediatric primary care providers and specialists who deliver care across more than 75 subspecialties. For more information, visit us at phoenixchildrens.org.

About the Garcia Family Foundation

Founded in 1996 in Phoenix, the Garcia Family Foundation is committed to serving and solving the challenges of those living in poverty in Arizona.  The Foundation currently focuses on homelessness and the prevention of homelessness, and providing educational and workforce development opportunities for high-achieving, disadvantaged students at the high school, technical and university levels, with an additional emphasis on strategic partnerships, collaboration and technology across all program areas. For more information, contact Jon Ehlinger.