ECCHO began as the RWHP’s advocacy program linking the communities we serve to health providers. But it is clear that after 20 years of work in communities, constructing the bridge to health care requires an primary focus on justice and then networking, communication, education and support. ECCHO is our health justice advocacy and support work. The RWHP’s ECCHO has:
Working with community partners and the Gainesville Police Department and local media to abolish the use of offense terminology to immigrants and people of color. The outcome has lead to our leading the cooperative rewriting of the police department’s policy on interacting with non-U.S. citizens and in developing new standards for their public media.
Linking a North Central Florida farmworker women’s group to the table of Federally Qualified Health Centers in order to improve communication, articulate community concerns on service and to improve understanding on successful ways to access affordable care.
Partnering with FreeDOM Clinic USA and University of Florida dentistry we are now providing translation, health education, support and referral assistance at dental clinics n Marion and Alachua counties. Collaborating with the Multi-County Migrant Education program to strengthen the health delivery provided at their Annual Health Fairs in The Field. ECCHO trains outreach volunteers, networks with University and community medical professionals and student organizations, provides CNAs for the provision of screening services and distributes health education materials for farmworker patients.
The RWHP coordinates yearly drives for four programs. Specific donations are requested for each of the drives in order to recognize and support those who impact our lives.
Initiating and co-coordinating the North Central Florida Social Service/Hispanic Alliance [NCFSS/HA] Seminar Series which link providers to Hispanic Immigrant realities through programming on increasing access to domestic violence services for immigrants, understanding the signs & symptoms of human trafficking and understanding the role of Consulates in serving immigrant residents.
An outgrowth of the RWHP’s care coordination work has been capacity building training designed to help non-profit organizations to develop sustainable programming to meet the needs of rural populations and communities working to overcome disparities. Capacity building guidance includes the development of community programming and organizational longevity, including assessment, planning, funding, community advisory teams and staff capacitation.
The RWHP prioritizes the mentoring of emerging Health Professionals who are exploring the areas of health disparities and community mobilization. Working with the University of Florida Center for Women's Studies Health Disparity Program, School of Public Health, College of Health and Human Performance and the George Washington University School of Public Health, the RWHP hosts and mentors undergraduate and graduate interns.
Click below to see Examples of Graduate Projects:
Click below to see Examples of Undergraduate Reflections:
Development of Spanish-language La Guía Resource Guides for seven NC Florida counties. La Guía includes a listing of social and medical service providers, hours of operation, costs, restrictions and interpretation capacity.
Co-founded the Florida Early Breast Cancer Detection Fund to respond to the challenges of women in farmworker communities to access life-saving early detection screening.
Facilitated the Bridging Voices Conference to present the service challenges of HIV positive individuals to care and to support the human rights of People Living With HIV/AIDS. With a national presenter from The Center for Health Law & Policy Innovation WilmerHale Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School… and the participation of the positive community, are providers law enforcement personnel, providers and church organizations strengthen their understanding of regional challenges.
Download the Immigrants in the Time of Questionable Comprehensive Immigration Reform powerpoint presentation.
Download the DACA Basics (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) fotonovela poster. This fotonovela is a basic overview of the steps necessary for DACA applicants to complete as part of the application process.
Available in English and Spanish.
