Daily Planet Health Services

Established in 1969, Daily Planet Health Services (DPHS) is a federally qualified health center, receiving funds from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Serving Richmond City and Chesterfield and Henrico counties, DPHS’ primary population is individuals experiencing homelessness and housing instability, including those living in and around public housing and in shared housing (doubling up). Comprehensive care services are provided via an integrated model that includes medical care, mental health, substance use treatment, oral health, pharmacy counseling, health education, case management and outreach.

Currently, DPHS provides services at ten locations, including partnerships at two CARITAS locations, Henrico Area Mental Health East and West, two residential programs at Safe Haven and Medical Respite, and one mobile medical unit. DPHS’ three permanent sites are in federally designated Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs) for medical care and a Health Professional Shortage Area for the City of Richmond for medical, dental and mental health. DPHS is recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance as a Level III Patient-Centered Medical Home.

In June 2021, DPHS launched what has become an integrated medical outreach program with the introduction of our mobile medical unit. Staffed by a nurse practitioner, medical assistant, outreach worker and supported by registration staff in person or virtually, the unit visits community partners across the city and counties on a recurring basis. And in March 2022 we expanded the program to include a first of its kind in Richmond, street medicine program. Pairing a nurse practitioner with an outreach worker, they are able to truly meet people where they are – under bridges, along riverbanks and in encampments around the city. More recently, we have added a behavioral health clinician to the team on a recurring basis.

DPHS served over 7,300 unique patients over more than 50,000 encounters in 2022. Among patients who chose to disclose their income, 96% live at or below 200% of the federal poverty level; 36% are uninsured; 59% of insured are Medicare and/or Medicaid recipients; and 8% have private insurance. Twenty-eight percent identify as Hispanic and 47% identify as black, indigenous and people of color. The majority of DPHS patients have multiple chronic health conditions, co-occurring behavioral health disorders, and poor oral health, all of which require extensive care and follow up to improve outcomes. They also face numerous barriers to care including literacy, transportation, lack of access to nutritious foods, and the inability to adhere to treatment protocols.