PROMOTORAS & COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS NETWORK Promotores & Community Health Workers Addressing Health Disparities © 2008 Visión Y Compromiso

Who are the Promotor and Community Health Workers? How Promotores are addressing health disparities. Next Steps

Who Are Promotores & Community Health Workers? Promotores are community members who carry on a tradition practiced worldwide – documented as early as the 17 th century, that found its way into Latin America in the 1960’s and 1970’s and eventually migrating to the U.S. Today Promotores are found across the U.S., and are represented in subpopulations of every ethnic group. In California, Promotores are mainly Spanish speaking women – and a growing population of men – of every age group and economic background.

Vision y Compromiso Network 14 Regions throughout California – Larger cities (L.A., San Diego & Bay Area) – Rural areas (Central Calif. and No. Cal.) – Coastal region 4,000 Promotores statewide Promotores Include: – Health Educators – Outreach & Case Workers – Community Health Workers – Volunteers & Advocates

Structure 14 Leadership Committees in CA – Advocate on statewide and local issues Regional Coordinator Committee – Nominated or volunteer to be regional leader – All decisions of priority and direction happen within committee Advocacy Committee – Provides legislative guidance to network – Provides leadership and coordination to advocacy activities

How Promotores Do What They Do… They stay current on the issues They strategize … They take advantage of every learning/training opportunity or they create it – Popular education – Incorporating adult learning styles Most importantly they know how to reach the community they serve

Promotores: Address Health Disparities Educate and inform the Latino community:  Education: Parental involvement.  Immigration: Identifying available services, changes, keeping community up to date on reform efforts.  Health care: Systems change, public coverage program assistance, location of clinics and other services Advocacy (on all of the above)  Annual legislative Day  Consistent advocacy and connectivity  Mobilization on our issues

Addressing Health Disparities in New Ways Centers for Medicaid and Medicare new ruling: Non-clinical services are reimbursable and can be provided by non-clinical staff. VyC is working with other organizations to create state policy Promotores’ ACA role will demonstrate ability to reach communities: Certified Outreach Educators Enrollment Entities will demonstrate ability to reach communities. Local project to address inconsistent coverage among children could create statewide policy.

Next Steps Obtain professional recognition for Promotores. – Create certification process – Can result in job availability for Promotores Utilize knowledge, experience and abilities of Promotores in the creation of policy. Increase Advocacy presence.

¿Questions? Mari Lopez