The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #69083

Monica L. Wendel, MA, MPH¹, Craig H. Blakely, PhD, MPH², James N Burdine, Dr PH¹, Alicia Dorsey, PhD³, Michael R.J. Felix⁴, Isidore Flores, PhD¹, Kenneth R. McLeroy, PhD³, Ann Millard, PhD³, Katherine I. Miller, PhD⁵, and Miguel A. Zuniga, MD, DrPH². (1) Community Health Development Program, School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M University, 1103 University Drive, Suite 100, College Station, TX 77840, 979-458-0937, mlwendel@srph.tamushsc.edu, (2) Health Policy and Management, Texas A&M University School of Rural Public Health, 3000 Briarcrest Drive, Suite 300, Bryan, TX 77802, (3) Department of Social & Behavioral Health, School of Rural Public Health, 3000 Briarcrest Drive, Suite 310, College Station, TX 77802, (4) Community Health Development Specialists, 3027 Walburt Ave, Allentown, PA 18104, (5) Department of Communication, Texas A&M University, MS 4234, College Station, TX 77842-4234

The Integrated Health Outreach System project is built around engaging lay health workers (promotoras) in the development of an integrated system of care for residents of targeted colonias. A training program was developed and implemented by staff of an organization with more than 20 years experience with promotoras. Because promotoras function in different roles, are employed in different organizations, and are reimbursed at different rates, integrating them into a “whole” workforce has been problematic. This presentation will highlight those challenges, the solutions developed, and remaining unresolved issues including the impact of state efforts to professionalize or “certify” promotoras.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to:
• Describe the roles and functions of promotoras;
• Describe the challenges which developed through efforts to integrate them into a single workforce;
• Describe how potential efforts to certify promotoras may impact their effectiveness as “lay” health workers

Keywords: Access to Care, Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.