The mission of Duffy Health Center is to provide equitable, integrated primary health care and support services to persons who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness on Cape Cod, and to improve the quality of life for vulnerable and marginalized populations through community collaborations, leadership, and advocacy. Our services include:
- medical care
- mental health treatment
- treatment for substance use disorders
- benefits enrollment
- case management
- spiritual care
Duffy Health Center team members offer those in our care the trust, dignity, respect, and ongoing support that they need to regain hope and recover. We envision Cape Cod as a community where all persons have access to quality health care, safe and stable housing, and lives filled with hope and purpose.
Duffy is a federally qualified health center and an FTCA deemed facility.
History
Duffy Health Center has provided outreach and services to homeless adults and those at risk for homelessness in Barnstable County over three decades. Started as a volunteer free clinic in in the early 1990’s by nurse practitioners and Dr. Arthur Bickford, Duffy’s services have expanded to meet client needs. In 1997 the clinic became incorporated as the O’Neill Health Center and was licensed for primary care services. At that time the health center had one site and served mainly chronically homeless clients.
The growing numbers of homeless clients led to an application for federal support. In 2002 Duffy received a federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) 330(h) Health Care for the Homeless grant. This stabilized the organization’s finances and enabled Duffy to expand to a second site. As a HRSA grantee, Duffy operates under federal guidelines specific to clinical practice, operations and Board of Directors oversight.
While Duffy Health Center grew, a commitment to addressing the underlying causes of homelessness helped focus agency efforts on building bridges with many community partners. Strategic partnerships have resulted in financial support and innovative programs helping people achieve and maintain health and housing.
In the 2000’s, Duffy Health Center became a licensed mental health clinic and developed state of the art, evidence-based case management programs. In 2006, the health center’s legal name was officially changed to Duffy Health Center. In 2011, we moved into our current building; the realization of a longterm dream to house all of our programs under one roof.
Duffy’s greatest asset is its staff. Our team includes physicians, nurse practitioners, psychiatric providers, registered nurses, licensed clinical therapists, substance abuse counselors, case managers, and administrative staff. Staff expertise, talent and commitment keep us focused on our mission and are why Duffy is proud to be a community leader in delivering services and seeking solutions to end homelessness on Cape Cod.
