Maria Chavoya

Mente Sana, Cuerpo Sano Promotores Program
Program description:
Documented Results:
“How To Implement” Your Program:
Researchers have documented severe and persistent mental health disparities
among Hispanic populations across the United States. Hispanics generally have
less access to mental health services, are less likely to receive care, and are more
likely to receive poor quality care when treated. Promotor/es, or community
health worker, programs increase awareness of behavioral health issues within
the Hispanic community, and increase the number of Hispanics accessing mental
health services.
Within the first two years of the Cenpatico Promotores program’s launch in Yuma County, Arizona, the community health
workers have exceeded their annual outreach goals by 20 percent. They have collected data on the most common mental health
complaints from the Spanish-speaking population. In addition to demographic information for those targeted populations within
the Hispanic community.
The first steps for program development:
•Promotores create effective linkages between vulnerable populations and health
care systems
•Provide culturally appropriate health education
•Advocate for underserved individuals
•Build community capacity to address health issues
Following the evidence-based practices established by the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration
Office of Rural Health Policy, Cenpatico Integrated Care established a successful
Promotor program within Hispanic communities. The program was created and
piloted in Yuma County, Arizona.
Program results demonstrated the breadth and depth of the outreach Promotores have accomplished, including in-home
“platicas” (conversations) that take place at swap meets, bus stops (for agricultural farmworkers), beauty salons, barber
shops and churches. In addition, the Promotores have conducted community presentations to small groups and have organized
mini-presentations where they invite other organizations to do blood pressure and glucose screenings. This type of activity has
increased attendance at presentations.
The program documents referrals for services, including follow-up to ensure the individuals given the referrals have attended
the first appointment. Once the individual is confirmed to have attended the appointment and has a treatment plan in place, the
outreach worker’s job is complete. Data is documented on the number of successfully completed referrals to evaluate program
effectiveness.
In 2015, over 1,200 one on one member and potential member conversations (platicas) took place in Yuma County, averaging
nearly 10 referrals per month.
Engagement statistics:
1. Research - Determine a community based organization as a partner (a
partner can help with recruitment).
2. Recruit - Identify the best individuals to becomePromotores (many times community volunteers can become effective Promotores).
3. Data - Once Promotores have been identified, determine what type of data needs to be collected to measure the success of the program.
4. Training - Begin by providing basic training to Promotores. Instruct them how to attract residents and leaders in the community who will promote
a community-based mental health model.
5. Engagement - Promotores can be effective disseminators of information. Promotores can be trained to act as change agents within their naturally
occurring social networks and engaged in the “platicas” (conversations) that
may result in successful referrals.
6. Metrics - Address how to establish achievable outreach goals, track outreach effectiveness, and referrals.
7. Budget - Assess costs for staffing and materials needed to operate an effective and sustainable program.
The Promotores program includes:
For more information go to:
•Training and recruiting
•Promotion of effective utilization
•Data tracking
•Fundamentals of community engagement using the community health worker
approach methods
http://www.hrsa.gov/ruralhealth/pdf/chwtoolkit.pdf
One on one
conversations (platicas)
The program is designed for provider or payer/managed care staff looking to
deepen their engagement within the Hispanic community to improve penetration
rates and health outcomes.
Program development considerations:
•
•
•
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Promotores will increase awareness of what mental illness is, and how to access services within the Hispanic Community.
Organizations will need to identify practical strategies to build the leadership skills of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in their role as health extenders and health care advocates.
Promotores will Present various approaches to working with vulnerable populations outside of the health system, while increasing the number of Hispanics accessing Mental Health Services.
It is important to consider the costs involved in developing a model within an agency and potential partnerships
Community Agencies
1,200
Age of
members
engaged:
65+
51-65
25-50
18-24
5%
Average of ten referrals per month
15%
15%
65%
Yuma County
Population - 203,247
Hispanic or Latino population percentage - 61.7%
Persons without health insurance under age 65 - 24.0%
Percentage of persons in poverty - 22.6%
Median household income - $41,380
Unemployment rate - varies largely by season with August 2015
recorded at 27% and December 2015 registering at 18%
Maria Chavoya
Regional Manager,
Community Affairs
Cenpatico Integrated Care
[email protected]
cenpaticointegratedcareaz.com
Customer Service: 866-495-6738
Crisis: 866-495-6735
Cenpatico Integrated Care (Cenpatico-IC) services are funded
through a contract with the Arizona Department of Health
Services and AHCCCS.