Health Unit becomes local ‘Front Door’ for One Door homeless program

The Webster County Health Unit is now serving as a local “Front Door” for the One Door homeless program through Community Partnership of the Ozarks, giving Webster County residents experiencing homelessness a new way to access services without traveling to Springfield.

Through the partnership, individuals can complete the One Door intake process by phone or in person at the Webster County Health Unit. The intake, which takes approximately 20 minutes and is provided at no cost, places individuals on the coordinated entry list used to connect people with housing and supportive services throughout the region.

Health Unit Administrator Scott Allen said the partnership helps eliminate a long-standing barrier for rural residents seeking assistance.

“One of the challenges of living in a rural county is that resources may exist nearby, but access can be difficult,” Allen said. “Traditionally, someone from Webster County had to travel to Springfield, spend an entire day navigating the system, and then wait—sometimes a long time—before services could even begin. By becoming a Front Door, we’re eliminating that first trip and starting the process locally.”

The One Door program serves individuals and families experiencing homelessness, including those living in vehicles, staying unsheltered, or temporarily couch surfing with a known end date.

The timing of the partnership coincides with recent efforts by Community Partnership of the Ozarks to conduct a regional homeless count. Allen said Webster County is included in that catchment area, and the data will help provide a clearer picture of local needs once results are finalized in the coming months.

Leading the Front Door program locally is Taylor Williams, RN, who serves as the Health Unit’s Community Navigator. Williams assists individuals with the One Door intake process and helps connect them to available health, social, and support services within Webster County.

“Becoming a Front Door means we can help people connect to services without them having to navigate a complicated system on their own,” Williams said. “It’s about meeting people where they are and helping them take that first step toward stability.”

Allen said the Community Navigator role allows the Health Unit to look beyond immediate needs and address underlying issues that can contribute to instability.

“Sometimes food insecurity or homelessness is just the tip of the iceberg,” Allen said. “When we talk with people, we often find a chain reaction—losing a job because of transportation issues, or a small financial setback that snowballs. If we can connect someone with a local resource early, it may prevent a much larger crisis.”

The addition of a One Door Front Door in Webster County strengthens local efforts to address homelessness by improving access to services, reducing travel barriers, and creating a more coordinated response for residents in need.

Individuals seeking assistance or more information about the One Door intake process may contact the Webster County Health Unit at 417-859-2532. The Health Unit’s resource app is also available by searching “Webster County Resource” in the app store.