1. Developing a Latino health agenda through a community-based participatory process: the experience of the Latino Health Initiative of Montgomery County, Maryland Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Presented by Graciela Jaschek, MPH Developed by: Graciela Jaschek, MPH; Sonia Mora, BS; Olivia Carter-Pokras, PhD; Henry Montes, MPH; Adolfo Firpo, MD, MPA, FCAP; Maria Botello-Harbaum, Ed.D, MS; Cesar Palacios, MD, MPH; Eduardo Pezo, MHP

2. Presenter Disclosures (1) The following personal financial relationships with commercial interests relevant to this presentation existed during the past 12 months: Graciela Jaschek NO

3. Montgomery County, Maryland Rapidly changing County: Latino pop. grew by 350% during 1980-2005 Diverse County: 45% of the County population are minorities (14% Latinos)

4. Latino Health Initiative  Created in 2000 to improve the quality of life of Latinos living in Montgomery County  Supported by the Latino Health Steering Committee

5. Blueprint for Latino Health Originally published in 2002, was updated in 2006  Includes socio-demographic and health data on Latinos  Defines priority areas to improve the health of Latinos in the County  Provides policy recommendations

6. Blueprint Update: A Community-Based Participatory Process DEVELOPMENT OF 2008 - 2012 BLUEPRINT I. Assessment “What is the current landscape compared to 5 years ago?” Quantitative Data Socio - Demographic Health II. Analysis “What do the changes mean?” III. Review & Development of Recommendations per Priority Area “Setting future directions” Ad- Hoc Blueprint Committee Meetings Latino Health Steering Committee Meetings Stakeholders Meeting in English Stakeholders Meeting in Spanish Participatory Community Planning Process V. Dissemination “Spreading the word and engaging stakeholders” IV. Release of Blueprint Qualitative Data Focus Groups Expert Interviews Key Stakeholders Interviews Latino Data Workgroup June 06 – May 07 Jan. 07 – May 07 June 07 – Sept. 07 June 2008

7. Purpose of the Blueprint Blueprint is an instrument to: Guide our actions to improve the health of Latinos Inform and engage policy and decision makers Engage and mobilize the Latino community Move forward the Latino health agenda

8. Three Essential Elements  Administrative support and resources – Latino Health Initiative  Technical assistance and guidance – Latino Health Steering Committee  Leaders and advocates – Latino Health Steering Committee, Community

9. Blueprint Implementation  Program alignment to Blueprint  Dissemination plan  Community engagement and mobilization  Monitoring and evaluation

10. Lessons Learned  Development of a health agenda needs careful planning  Every opinion, comment and suggestion needs serious consideration  Participatory process helps inform, educate & engage participants  Engaging stakeholders from different sectors highlights need to examine health in broad context  Mobilizing community is essential for policy change

11. Contact Information Graciela Jaschek, MPH graciela.jaschek@montgomerycountymd.gov Website www.lhiinfo.org