Health & Human Services

Health & Human Services Dept December 2021 Update


The Health & Human Services Department is excited to unveil the co-location of key programs from the Social Services and Public Health divisions to a single, centralized location in the city.  Combining these services to one centralized location will reduce barriers to those who access vital services as well as enhance organizational efficiency.  In addition, the much larger physical space at the Forest Avenue location provides opportunities for program expansion as well as increased opportunities for physical distancing to maintain health and safety for staff and service recipients.  Check out The Unification of Portland's Health & Human Services project page.

Questions about HHS' move to 39 Forest Avenue? EMail HHSForest@portlandmaine.gov

Weekly service data for the Health & Human Services Department
Program Week Ending January 8, 2022
Family Health

21 individuals served Maternal & Child Health
9 clients seen at Portland Community Free Clinic
26 (11 new)  STD Clinic clients seen 
23 COVID vaccines given
City of Portland's new flyers for the mask mandate and PPE distribution were translated into Arabic, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Somali
Chronic Disease Prevention Program  Tobacco Prevention Program
       - Passed one (1) policy 
       - New CHPS began
Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL)
    
Needle Exchanges: 74 (49 onsite & 25 outreach)
Needles collected: 10,209
Needles distributed: 9,717
Narcan kits (2 doses/kit) distributed: 39
Family Shelter 16 new GA families (58 people) presented for shelter
High census of 195 families (655 people) in hotels
High census of 28 families (88 people) sheltered

*We are extending families in the hotels while we have positive cases in the Family Shelter.
   
Oxford Street Shelter 285 people served overall
215 clients served nightly, on average

FY22 Housing Placements 62 single adults
39 families of 122 individuals 

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    The City of Portland is thrilled to announce that the Barron Center, the City’s 219-bed long-term skilled rehabilitation facility, has earned a five star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Read on...

  2. City Receives Three Proposals in Response to Homeless Services Center RFQ/P

    The City of Portland received three development proposals in response to the Request for Qualifications/Proposals the City issued to support construction of a new Homeless Services Center (HSC). City staff is currently reviewing the proposals. Read on...

  3. City Hires Deputy Director for HHS Department

    The City of Portland is pleased to announce it has hired Tina Pettingill to serve as the City’s first Deputy Director of the Health and Human Services Department. Read on...
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About Us


The Health and Human Services Department consists of four unique divisions: Public Health Division, Social Services Division, the Barron Center, (A city-owned long-term care facility) Office of Elder Affairs.

We strive to enhance the health and well-being of the residents of Portland in collaboration with our community, state, and federal partners.