Sustainability needs of promotores de salud programs in a rural area of California: Implications for community health planning and policy development

This pilot study represented an initial attempt to identify major issues related to sustainability of promotores de salud programs once external funding has expired. It involved the completion of a 23-item questionnaire by representatives from CBOs working with promotores de salud.

The results of this pilot study indicated that external funding is a core element in the sustainability of promotores de salud programs. Once funding is finished, most research participants expressed difficulties in keeping the programs alive. In most of the cases, those programs were closed leaving promotores and the community in general without a specific alternative to continue with this line of work. Some organizations were willing to provide funds from their own resources once the funding from external grants finished.

Some suggestions included finding ways for third party reimbursement provided by HMOs and insurance companies, as well as increasing funding through grants and endowments for this type of work. A relevant issue expressed by the participants was to document through statistical and anecdotal means the impact of promotores de salud programs. Other suggestions included training promotores de salud in grant writing, so they can become active participants in leading their communities in the pursue of external funding for their work. Continuing education for promotores was identified as a high priority among study participants. Eight implications for community health planning and policy development were elicited as a result of this pilot study and will be discussed with the audience in this presentation.