ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) – Cayuga Health is launching a campaign with medical students and community organizations to assist the homeless.

On November 24, Cayuga Health announced that, with the support of a $2.5 million grant, they’ll roll out the Street Medicine Access Residency Training Initiative (SMARTI), the first program of its kind in the region.

The 5-year program is designed to train future physicians to provide “compassionate, equitable healthcare to individuals experiencing homelessness.” It will be funded to the tune of $500,000 annually and will focus on caring for individuals with substance use disorders and mental health challenges.

“As a community health system, we recognize the importance of meeting people where they are, both literally and figuratively,” said Dr. Judith Griffin, Program Director of the Cayuga Primary Care Internal Medicine Residency. “This grant allows us to train residents in a model of care that prioritizes empathy, access, and partnership.”

Medical residents will work with several community-based groups, including REACH Medical, Ultimate Reentry Opportunities, and OAR of Tompkins County.

“REACH Medical’s mission has always been to bring respectful, equitable, and compassionate healthcare directly to those who need it most,” said REACH Medical Director Samantha Stevenson. “Through our collaboration with Cayuga Health and the SMARTI initiative, we’re expanding our ability to ensure every person has access to care that honors their dignity and their goals for health.”

The funding comes from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).