In Detroit, Michigan, a unique partnership between the Ruth Ellis Center (REC), a youth social services agency, and the Henry Ford Health System (HFHS), a non-profit, integrated health care organization, is seeking to meet the health and social service needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth experiencing systemic barriers to housing, health, and wellness. The Ruth Ellis Health & Wellness Center was established in 2016 to provide a range of physical health, behavioral health, and social services tailored to the diverse needs of this population in a safe, convenient environment. Initially operating in a mobile clinic, the program moved into a newly constructed health and wellness center (the “Center”) at the REC in February 2017.

This profile looks at a partnership between the Ruth Ellis Center and the Henry Ford Health System, an integrated health care organization, which aims to improve the long-term health outcomes for one of the region’s most vulnerable populations.