Promotores de Salud as New approach to the African American in the County of San Bernardino A partnership between two Community Based Organizations in San Bernardino, CA, El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center, and African American Mental Health Coalition

Presenters  Alexander Fajardo, Executive Director El Sol Neighborhood Education Center  Linda Hart, Executive Director African American Mental Health Coalition

Our Mission The mission statement of El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center is to empower our community to lead healthy and comfortable lives with access to health care; safe, affordable housing; opportunities for education; and the leadership skills to eliminate disparities. The mission of the African American mental Health Coalition, Inc. is to advocate, educate and promote culturally relevant activities by providing workshops, research, trainings and stigma awareness; to create public policies that assist in reducing health disparities and to promote a more comprehensive approach to early intervention to allow for individuals and families to care for themselves.

History  Community members have been used as natural health support by various cultures around the world. They are turned to for health and healing advice.  Community members have taken health care programs to rural populations and addressed issues such as: Nutrition, Immunizations, and Sanitation.  The model of Community members as advocates and educators has documented presence in the US since 1968, but Promotores have existed in other nations for centuries

Model of Community Health Outreach Workers and Mental Health

El Sol & African American Mental Health Coalition as partners

Prevention & Early Intervention (PEI)  Community Focus Groups  Cultural Competency Advisory Committee Family Members Sub committee.  Identification of PEI funds for the implementation  On going community participation in the implementation and evaluation of the program

Development & Implementation Process 1) Community Advisory Group 2) Changes to Curriculum 3) Higher staff (Program Coordinator & Office Assistant) 4) Changes to Marketing Materials 5) Recruitment of Outreach Workers 6) Community Outreach Workers Training

Cultural Challenges  Communication  Cultural education  Respect each others places

Lessons Learned  Flexibility  Transparency  Accountability  Loyalty  Trust

Curriculum

Thank you. QUESTIONS?