Homeless Healthcare Program
Medical Respite Program
The Medical Respite Program provides a safe place for individuals, 18 years of age and older, who are experiencing homeless to recover or become stabilized from an acute medical event, such as a leg fracture, surgery, or stroke. Nurse practitioners are available approximately 8 hours a week to provide medications, dressing changes, oxygen and other medical care.
This program operates out of two shelters in Fairfax County: Embry Rucker Community Shelter and Bailey's Crossroads Community Shelter.
Most referrals to this program come from the hospitals or social workers assisting individuals experiencing homelessness with an acute medical condition. Referrals should be sent via fax to 703-653-6640.
Many patients come with additional chronic medical conditions and medications. The Medical Respite team will help manage these conditions in coordination with their primary care provider. Patients are expected to have the capacity to understand and accept responsibility over their own medical health care management. The program requires patients not be so impaired as to pose a risk to self or others. Patients must be able to perform all activities of their daily living independently or with the use of mechanical devices.
There is no charge to the patient. The Medical Respite Program can provide reasonably priced medications, transportation to and from doctor visits, and enrollment into an FQHC. Since the programs are in existing shelters, a bed, meals, and case management are provided as well.
Drop-In Shelters
Drop-ins do not require you to have a referral, to register or expect you to divulge any personal information you wish to keep private. There is no cost and like the name suggests, you can simply drop by and see what support is available. Those who come in during drop-in hours can grab breakfast/lunch, shower, laundry, case management, and other services depending on location.
For families needing shelter, contact Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880 (TTY 711), Monday - Friday, from 8am to 4:30pm
Adults needing a shelter bed should call one of the adult shelters.
Find a full list of emergency shelters.
Expand the tabs below to see drop-in shelters by region.
Eleanor Kennedy Shelter
9155 Richmond Highway,
Fort Belvoir, VA 22060
703-799-0200
- Drop-in: Monday and Wednesday 10am-4pm
Gartlan Center Drop-in
8119 Holland Road,
Alexandria, VA 22306
- Homeless Healthcare Nurse Hours: Tuesday 12-4pm, Friday 8am-12pm
Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter
5914 Seminary Road,
Falls Church, VA 22041
703-820-7621
- Drop-in: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 10am-4pm
- Homeless Healthcare Nurse Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10am-4pm
- Medical Respite Program
Embry Rucker Shelter
11975 Bowman Towne Drive,
Reston, VA 20190
703-437-1975
- Drop-in: Tuesday/Thursday 10am-3pm, Saturday/Sunday 7am-1pm
- Homeless Healthcare Nurse Hours: Tuesday, Thursday 10am-3pm 2
- Medical Respite Program
Lamb Center Drop-in
3160 Campbell Drive,
Fairfax, VA 22031
703-691-3178
- Drop-in: Monday-Friday 8am-3pm
- Homeless Healthcare Nurse Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 8:30-12:30pm
Public Water vs. Private Wells
Keeping your kitchen safe is key to a Healthy Home. Remember these four crucial steps.
No one wants pests like rats, mice, bats, or cockroaches in their homes. Here’s how to keep these pests out:
If mosquitoes and ticks are bugging you, our on-staff mosquito and tick experts are here to provide you guidance and recommendations. We offer:
Ever wonder what happens to your water when it goes down the drain? In Fairfax County, most homes and businesses are connected to the public sewer system but about 21,000 properties use onsite sewage systems. Here is some information you need to know.
Play a part in preserving Fairfax County’s high quality of life and protect natural resources by following trash and recycling laws. By recycling and disposing of trash responsibly, we help our community stay clean and healthy.
Cleaning up after and caring for your pets is essential.
Swimming pools are a great way to beat the heat. Water safety is critical to prevent accidents and waterborne illnesses.
Radon
Make your home safer by routinely securing and storing firearms and medications. This helps to prevent unauthorized access and unsafe use.
According to the Chinese American Community Health Services (CACHS), the MAC plays a significant role in bridging the gap between diverse communities and the health department. The CACHS' long-standing collaboration allows the Fairfax County Health Department and CACHS to coordinate emergency response efforts to ensure that resources are deployed efficiently and that vulnerable populations are effectively supported. Our partnership is characterized by trust, consistent and transparent communication, and a common set of objectives and vision. 
Local health care centers, practitioners, pharmacies and partners who provided COVID-19 vaccination clinics in the community.
Apartments, developments and communities whose leaders and influencers shared COVID-19 health and safety kits and information, and who hosted community testing and vaccination events.
Businesses large and small who distributed informational materials, hosted vaccination clinics, and helped support the other needs of the community.
Places that provide care for children and adults who engaged with public health to help support the communities they serve even more.
Partners who provided space, support and more for COVID-19 testing and vaccination efforts.
Local influencers who advocate for their community's public health needs and partnered in vaccination, health information, and testing services.
The places and people who supported Fairfax's health needs, including those of our most under-resourced populations.
Restaurants, kitchens, food trucks and other food service establishments served health information, championed vaccines, and supported the needs of their staff.
From advocating for the needs of their constituents to sharing health, safety, testing and vaccine information, Fairfax's faith-based organizations serve as a cornerstone for public health efforts.
The entire Fairfax health system not only supported local COVID-19 needs, but the general health needs of the local population.
Multicultural media outlets provided important in-language information to non-English speaking members of the community.
Public health teams embedded in older adult and group homes to provide education to staff, facilitate testing and provide vaccination services.
Local government partners who supported the emergency response.
Fairfax County leadership who represent the Fairfax Health District.
We are creating a team of childhood immunization public health nurses because many families were unable to seek required vaccinations for their school-aged children during the past two years. This team will support increased vaccination opportunities for children and will provide vaccination services for students in schools, community sites, and local health department clinics – helping to close childhood immunization gaps in our community.