ACCESS TO HEALTH

FOR THE LATINO COMMUNITY

The North Carolina Behavioral Health Equity Initiative (NCBHEI) is funded by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, through the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services. The initiative benefits from the guidance and technical support of the North Carolina Community Initiatives Coordinating Center at Wake Forest School of Medicine's Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy in Winston-Salem, NC.

NCBHEI is dedicated to advancing behavioral health equity by employing "upstream" strategies that address the structural and root causes of behavioral health disparities in historically underserved neighborhoods and communities of color. The program focuses on identifying and implementing equity-driven strategies to address social determinants of health affecting these populations. Among the grantees involved in this effort is the Access to Health for the Latino Community Initiative.

Goal

Our goal is to enhance access to preventive care for undocumented, uninsured, and underinsured Latino individuals. By improving their overall health, we aim to reduce their reliance on emergency department visits.

Partnerships

This project is a collaborative effort between Cabarrus Health Alliance (CHA) and El Puente Hispano, a local nonprofit organization that aims to better the lives of Latino Families in Cabarrus County.

Collaboration

We are leveraging our strong connections with community leaders
and community members to develop and implement a model that transforms service providers' policies and practices, increasing access for our target population.

The project is being designed through the collaboration of a diverse group
of community partners, including Cabarrus Health Alliance, the Community Free Clinic, Atrium Health, city and county representatives, private businesses,
and insights from our Latino Advisory Board.

In monthly meetings, the group gains insights into the local Latino community, identifies its needs, and develops a strategy to address these issues.

Strategy

Our approach involves creating an "accreditation" model designed to recognize and celebrate local agencies that effectively serve the Latino community. This model will not only acknowledge these agencies but also enhance their services and support other organizations in better reaching and serving this population.