A new partnership between the University of Nevada, Reno, and Washoe County is expected to expand access to healthcare services across the region through a mobile outreach vehicle that will support nurse-led care efforts beyond traditional clinic settings.
An agreement finalized on April 28 transfers a mobile health outreach and command post vehicle from Washoe County to the University. The vehicle was originally purchased by the County using American Rescue Plan Act funds for Northern Nevada Public Health.
Under the agreement, the University will use the vehicle to support community-based healthcare initiatives in Washoe County, including the StreetReach program.
StreetReach is a collaboration between the Orvis School of Nursing and the Larson Institute within the School of Public Health. The program provides low-barrier, relationship-based healthcare for people who are unsheltered, intermittently housed, or connected to street-based communities.
Services include wound care, bloodborne virus testing, and connections to ongoing healthcare and social support.
“The University is honored to be entrusted by Washoe County with a mobile health unit that will meaningfully advance health and healthcare throughout our community,” said Dr. Charles Yingling, dean of the Orvis School of Nursing. “This unit will improve care for our unhoused population, expand access to healthcare in rural areas of Washoe County, and support nurse-led initiatives that promote health among local grade school students.”
