Resources and Guidance
Center of Excellence on Public Health and Homelessness

On this page:
Medical Assistance
Community Clinics
Housing
Homeless Resource Guide
Youth Specific Services
Transgender Specific Services
Harm Reduction
Medication Assisted Treatment
Disease Prevention and Control
     COVID-19
     HIV
     Hepatitis
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Corrections
Local Public Health

Medical Assistance

• MN DHS: Medical Assistance (MA)
  Medical assistance guidelines and applications from the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
• MNBenefits
  Apply for benefits from several different Minnesota programs easily and online, in one place.

Community Clinics

• Hennepin County
  Hennepin County has several clinics and service providers that help residents stay healthy by offering low-cost medical and mental health services.
• FreeClinics.com: Free Clinics in Minnesota
  Online directory of free and affordable health clinics in Minnesota. Most clinics listed in their database receive federal grants, state subsidies, or are owned and operated by non-profit organizations and provide services that are either free or at a reduced rate.

Housing

• Housing Benefits 101: Homeless Services: Coordinated Entry Access Points
  If you are experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness, or don't have a place you can stay for very long, get help from Minnesota's Coordinated Entry System.
• MN Housing: Supportive Housing
  The work to prevent and end homelessness is one of Minnesota Housing's strategic priorities, which includes the production and preservation of supportive housing. 
• Minnesota Association of Sober Homes, Inc.
  The primary mission of the Minnesota Association of Sober Homes, Inc., is to promote the establishment, successful management and growth of high quality community-based sober-living residences

Homeless Resource Guide

• Agate: Handbook of the Streets - Minneapolis (PDF)
  Quick reference guide with resources for people in need for Minneapolis.
• Agate: Handbook of the Streets - St. Paul (PDF)
  Quick reference guide with resources for people in need for St. Paul.

Youth Specific Services

• Youth Services Network
  The Youth Services Network helps Minnesota youth find shelter and services.

Transgender Specific Services

• Minnesota Transgender Health Coalition
  The Minnesota Transgender Health Coalition is committed to improving health care access and the quality of health care received by trans and gender non-conforming people through education, resources, and advocacy.

Harm Reduction

• Minnesota Pharmacy Syringe/Needle Access Initiative
  Information about the Minnesota law that allows pharmacies to sell a limited number of sterile syringes to individuals without a prescription.
• American Addiction Centers: Needle Exchange - Find a Program
  Needle exchange programs can help prevent the spread of these diseases by providing clean needles and disposing of used ones. Users can also get other services at these programs, such as medical care and screenings.
• CDC: Syringe Services Programs
  Resources and policies that support access to clean syringes.
• MN DHS: Naloxone
  Information for prescribers and pharmacies on outpatient prescriptions for naloxone to be used as a rescue medication.

Medication Assisted Treatment

• Suboxone Doctors: Suboxone Doctors in Minnesota
  Local doctors and clinics in Minnesota who are licensed to prescribe Suboxone and Subutex for opioid addiction.
• Methadone Centers: Methadone Clinics in Minnesota
  Methadone treatment centers in Minnesota provide patients with the medical assistance necessary to help them overcome opiate dependence and get their lives back on track.

Disease Prevention and Control

COVID-19

• Prisons, Detention Centers, & Homeless Service Sites: COVID-19
  Resources for correctional and detention settings as well as homeless service providers and shelters.
  • COVID-19 Vaccination Event Request Form for Congregate Settings
    Online form to request vaccine clinics for COVID-19 and annual influenza vaccine. Facilities can also request harm reduction services.
• Minnesota Homeless Service Providers Receive Supplies to Prevent and Control COVID-19 (PDF)
  Overview of American Rescue Plan Act funds used to directly support providers for COVID-related activities.
• CDC: Respiratory Virus Guidance
  Guidance for preventing and responding to respiratory viruses in community settings including correctional and detention facilities and homeless service settings. Guidance does NOT apply to health care settings including portions of correctional facilities and shelters where health care is provided.

HIV

• HIV/AIDS
  HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that can cause AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). HIV is most commonly transmitted during anal and vaginal sex, while sharing syringes or equipment to inject drugs or other substances, and less commonly, during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.
• MN DHS: HIV
  Minnesota publicly-funded programs that help people living with HIV access a wide-range or services, including life-extending medication therapy and health care.
• HIV.gov: Locate an HIV Provider
  How to find an HIV health care provider. HIV.gov collaborates with departments and agencies across the Federal government.

Hepatitis

• Hepatitis
  "Hepatitis" means inflammation of the liver. This condition can be caused by alcohol, chemicals, drugs and viruses that attack the liver.
• MN DHS: Hepatitis C
  Minnesota pharmacy prior authorization criteria, regimen review sheets, and other resources for Hepatitis C direct-acting antivirals.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
  Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are a group of conditions that can occur in a person whose mother consumed alcohol during pregnancy.
• Proof Alliance
  Proof Alliance, formerly the Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, has been delivering awareness and education to pregnant individuals, and hands-on hope to those living with FASD, since 1998.

Corrections

• MN Second Chance Coalition
  The Minnesota Second Chance Coalition collects and curates trusted resources to offer the community as they navigate collateral consequences.
• MN DOC: Re-entry Services and Resources
  Minnesota Department of Corrections resources for re-entry and transition.
• U.S. Probation & Pretrial Services, Minnesota: Resources
  The U.S. Probation & Pretrial Services Office, for the District of Minnesota, remains committed to providing quality community supervision and programming geared to help facilitate positive change of justice involved individuals.

Local Public Health

• Find a Local Health Department or Community Health Board
  Contact information for Minnesota's local health departments and community health boards.