1 Minority Outreach and Technical Assistance (MOTA) Panel Session Improving the Health of Minorities: Empowering Community Based Minorities to Partner with Local Health Departments Presenters Carlessia A. Hussein, RN, DR. P.H. and Arlee Wallace Gist, BA at American Public Health Association 132 ND Annual Meeting and Exposition Washington, DC November 9, :30 PM to 6:00 PM

2 Maryland Profile

3 Maryland Minority Population By Political Subdivision July 2002

4 Population Estimates (continued)

5 BACKGROUND The State of Maryland is a signatory party to the master settlement agreement reached in the multi-state litigation against the tobacco industry The purpose of the litigation was to recover state Medicaid costs associated with the treatment of tobacco-related illnesses Maryland was awarded $4.4 billion over 25 years beginning in 2000: the Governor and General Assembly established a 10-year vision to make substantial advances in public health, crop conversion and education Maryland Legislators passed SB 896 and HB 1425, creating the Cigarette Restitution Fund Program (CRFP) with a commitment of $200 million each year to public health The CRFP goals are to conquer cancer, end smoking and reduce the minority health disparities associated with Cancer and tobacco-use in Maryland

6 Background (continued) The Maryland 2000 Cancer Baseline Study found that Blacks experienced a higher overall incidence and mortality than Whites The Maryland 1999 Task Force To End Smoking found that African Americans metabolized nicotine at levels 12% to 50% higher than Whites The CRFP established the Minority Outreach & Technical Assistance Program (MOTA) to promote effective involvement of minorities throughout the State The Sustainable Minority Outreach & Technical Assistance Model (SMOTA) was developed as a training tool to guide MOTA activities in each county The MOTA program in each county worked in partnership with the local health departments, attended local cancer and tobacco coalition meetings, brought together other minority groups, reached out to faith-based groups, and helped empower local minority communities to act decisively and effectively

7 SUSTAINABLE MINORITY OUTREACH AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (SMOTA) PHASE I – Engagement – Prepare to engage the community – Formulate and clarify MOTA goals – Seek to understand minority communities PHASE II – Outreach – Establish relationships in each minority community – Encourage and foster empowerment in communities

8 SUSTAINABLE MINORITY OUTREACH AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (SMOTA) PHASE III –Technical Assistance – Facilitate partnership for social change – Recognize and respect diversity – Develop and enhance capacities – Place the community at center of change process – Encourage strategic planning in each community PHASE IV – Sustainability – Facilitate and sustain resource development – Develop infrastructure to sustain minority groups – Institutionalize partnerships & foster networks

9 MARYLAND MOTA NETWORK MOTA awarded $4.5 million statewide from Counties with over 15% minorities received MOTA funds of $25,000 to $180,000 for fiscal year 2005 The MOTA Grantees funded and partnered with 44 other minority groups to reach the total population in the state funded 233 community-based minority groups: Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, Women MOTA groups include faith-based, foundations, community service agencies, fraternities, sororities, hospital-based MOTA groups participate in regional and state training sessions focused on diversity and cultural competency

10 MOTA PROGRAM ACTIVITIES Attend Cancer and Tobacco Coalition meetings in each of 24 state jurisdictions (23 counties and Baltimore City) Recruit minority individuals and groups to attend coalition meetings to advocate for their communities Provide training to local minority groups to enhance infrastructure and foster empowerment Link local health departments to “hard to reach” and isolated communities Educate local elected officials regarding the impact of cancer and tobacco-use on their communities

11 STATE EMPOWERMENT STRATEGIES Fund community-based minority organizations Link MOTA organizations together into a network Require MOTA groups to obtain local health department support Require local health departments to work with local MOTA Encourage local health departments to establish disparities reduction goals for tobacco and cancer programs Encourage the exchange of work plans and partnering on community education, screening and outreach

12 MOTA RESULTS Funded 233 Community-based Minority Organizations Leveraged over $1.1 million for minority groups Recruited over 3559 additional minorities to advocate for cancer and tobacco-related health needs 28,000 persons reached through state and local events plus an urban radio audience of about 5,000 in Baltimore Helped decrease cancer mortality disparity by 55% between Whites and minorities by 2004 Strengthened the statewide minority health network

13 CONTACT INFORMATION Carlessia A. Hussein, R.N., DR. P.H. Director, Maryland Cigarette Restitution Fund Program Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene 201 West Preston Street, Room 500 Baltimore, Maryland Telephone: Address: Arlee W. Gist, B.A. Deputy Director, Maryland Cigarette Restitution Fund Program Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene 201 West Preston Street, Room 502 Baltimore, Maryland Telephone: Address: MOTA Website Address: