CARDEA HEALTH

Cardea Health is a nonprofit healthcare organization dedicated to connecting marginalized populations with essential clinical and supportive services. Their mission focuses on improving health outcomes, promoting stable housing, and supporting individuals in aging within their communities.

Core Programs and Services

Cardea Health operates several key programs targeting individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness and complex health issues:

• Eddie's Place: Providing comprehensive care and support to individuals transitioning from homelessness to stable housing.
• Project Homekey: Converting hotels and other properties into permanent supportive housing for vulnerable populations.
• Lake Merritt Lodge: A supportive housing facility offering medical and social services to residents, fostering community integration.
• Fairmont Respite: Offering respite care with short-term relief for individuals with complex medical needs.
• Kelly Cullen Community: A community center that provides various services, including healthcare, to support individuals in need.

These programs aim to develop a continuum of care supporting each client with the appropriate level of assistance required to become safely and stably housed in the community.

Advocacy and Impact

Cardea Health actively engages in advocacy efforts to expand access to home-based services for all Medi-Cal beneficiaries. They collaborate with community-based organizations to ensure individuals with intensive medical needs receive care in their own homes rather than in institutions.

This approach preserves dignity and leads to significant cost savings for the state. The care model has achieved an almost 80% reduction in emergency department visits, skilled nursing facility admissions, and inpatient admissions among individuals housed for 180 days or more.

Such success results in an average cost savings of $175,000 per homeless individual with acute and chronic health needs receiving HCBA waiver services in permanent supportive housing.

Leadership Team

The leadership team at Cardea Health includes:

• Dr. Alexis Chettiar: CEO and Co-Founder, a clinician and program builder with extensive experience in safety net services and community-based care.
• Catherine Hayes, MPH, FNP-BC: President and Co-Founder, dedicated to bringing quality healthcare and services to marginalized populations.

Locations

Cardea Health operates in the following locations:

• Oakland, CA, USA: Main office located at 1850 Mountain Blvd, Oakland, CA 94611.
• San Francisco, CA, USA: Additional operational presence.

These locations enable Cardea Health to serve a broad community, addressing the needs of individuals across the Bay Area.

Through its comprehensive programs, advocacy efforts, and dedicated leadership, Cardea Health continues to make a significant impact on the lives of marginalized individuals, promoting health, stability, and community integration.