Los Angeles Poverty Department Presents New “Welcome to the Covid Hotel” Public Conversations On Initiatives Aimed at Improving Healthcare for Homeless Populations  Los Angeles Poverty Department (LAPD) is pleased to announce a new panel discussion as part of its Skid Row History Museum & Archive exhibition “Welcome to the Covid Hotel.” The current artwork and programs by LAPD reveal the innovations and success stories of the multidisciplinary team of frontline healthcare workers who ran LA County’s emergency Quarantine and Isolation (QI) medical sites during the pandemic for people without a safe place to shelter. The innovations they deployed and lessons they learned propose promising solutions to urgent issues around homelessness and access to healthcare. The public is welcome to attend the events at Skid Row History Museum & Archive, 250 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, 90012, moderated by Clancey Cornell, a clinical social worker and member of LAPD’s archive staff whose interviews are featured in the exhibition.

GOING FORWARD – Best Practices from the Covid Medical Shelters Being Implemented Now Tuesday October 22, 7 pm This conversation spotlights programs that are taking new approaches to supportive housing and healthcare access. The panel features Dr. Shayan Rab, Associate Medical Director, LA County Department of Mental Health (DMH), who was dubbed “LA’s First Street Psychologist” by the LA Times. Dr. Rab will share his vision behind DMH’s Homeless Outreach and Mobile Engagement (HOME Team), which takes to the streets to reach people experiencing chronic unsheltered homelessness and who have profound mental health needs. Also featured is Victoria Onwualu, Director of Housing and Health Programs, Wesley Health Centers + JWCH Institute, who will talk about the JWCH Safe Landing Sites program she oversees at the Cecil Hotel. And Gabriela Ramirez manager of the Interim Housing Outreach Program (IHOP).