Collegiate Health Service CorpsCollegiate Health Service Corps

““Connecting Students to Careers,Connecting Students to Careers,

and Communities to Better Health”and Communities to Better Health”

CONNECTICUT AHEC’S CONNECTICUT AHEC’S MISSIONMISSION

““The mission of the Area Health Education The mission of the Area Health Education Center’s program is to enhance access to Center’s program is to enhance access to

quality health care, particularly primary and quality health care, particularly primary and preventative care, by improving the supply preventative care, by improving the supply

and distribution of health care professionals and distribution of health care professionals through community and educational through community and educational

partnerships.”partnerships.”

WHAT IS CHSC?WHAT IS CHSC?The Collegiate Health Service Corps is a three The Collegiate Health Service Corps is a three tiered training program for undergraduate college tiered training program for undergraduate college students and provides placements in health based students and provides placements in health based service learning projects. service learning projects.

Benefits of CHSC… Benefits of CHSC… Undecided students likely to enter health fields.Undecided students likely to enter health fields.Students build resumes with leadership and Students build resumes with leadership and

community service projects. community service projects. Students more likely to continue work with Students more likely to continue work with

marginalized populations.marginalized populations.

CHSC MISSIONCHSC MISSIONTo prepare undergraduate students for To prepare undergraduate students for

service learning experience that provides service learning experience that provides health education and screenings to health education and screenings to underserved populations. underserved populations.

To specifically target freshmen, undecided To specifically target freshmen, undecided students, and those interested in health care students, and those interested in health care fields in order to expose them to various fields in order to expose them to various health careers. health careers.

CHSC ObjectivesCHSC Objectives

To build a bridge between medically To build a bridge between medically underserved populations and students.underserved populations and students.

To have students provide outreach, To have students provide outreach, education, health screenings and needs education, health screenings and needs assessments.assessments.

To build relationships with essential To build relationships with essential community partners for collaborative efforts.community partners for collaborative efforts.

CHSC Service LearningCHSC Service Learning

Essential Program ComponentsEssential Program ComponentsCurriculum Modules…Curriculum Modules…

Eliminating Health DisparitiesEliminating Health DisparitiesProfessionalism and Ethics Professionalism and Ethics Health Promotion and Health EducationHealth Promotion and Health Education

Core TrainingCore Training… 4 hour highly interactive workshop, … 4 hour highly interactive workshop, 25 hours of Service Learning, 2 hours of 25 hours of Service Learning, 2 hours of ReflectionReflection

Intermediate TrainingIntermediate Training… First Aid Certification, 25 … First Aid Certification, 25 hours of Service Learning, 2 hours of Reflectionhours of Service Learning, 2 hours of Reflection

Advanced TrainingAdvanced Training… CPR Certification, 25 hours of … CPR Certification, 25 hours of Service Learning, 2 hours of ReflectionService Learning, 2 hours of Reflection

Cultural CompetencyCultural Competency““Cultural competency is a set of attitudes, skills, Cultural competency is a set of attitudes, skills,

behaviors and policies that enable organizations behaviors and policies that enable organizations and staff to work effectively in cross-cultural and staff to work effectively in cross-cultural situations.” situations.”

““It reflects the ability to acquire and use knowledge It reflects the ability to acquire and use knowledge of health-related beliefs, attitudes and of health-related beliefs, attitudes and communication patterns of clients and their communication patterns of clients and their families ….to improve services, strengthen families ….to improve services, strengthen programs, increase community participation and programs, increase community participation and close gaps in health status.”close gaps in health status.”

(Lavisso-Mourney & Mackenzie, 1996, p.919)(Lavisso-Mourney & Mackenzie, 1996, p.919)

Unique Role of Health Education Unique Role of Health Education Outreach Leaders…Outreach Leaders…

““Outreach can be defined as an intentional Outreach can be defined as an intentional process of building relationships in a process of building relationships in a community in order to facilitate access to community in order to facilitate access to information, education, services and information, education, services and support for addressing health concerns.”support for addressing health concerns.”

BARRIERS TO GOOD HEALTHBARRIERS TO GOOD HEALTH

Cultural Factors: Cultural Factors: LanguageLanguageCultural NormsCultural NormsInformal HealthcareInformal HealthcareMinimal Health LiteracyMinimal Health Literacy

Cultural factors may diminish likelihood to accept Cultural factors may diminish likelihood to accept information provided information provided

Lack of understanding of wellnessLack of understanding of wellness

BARRIERS TO GOOD HEALTHBARRIERS TO GOOD HEALTHLiteracy Literacy

Limited literacy in native languageLimited literacy in native languageLimited literacy for English speakers Limited literacy for English speakers Lack of health literacy Lack of health literacy

Living Conditions & PovertyLiving Conditions & PovertyLegal status and distrust leads to “Fear of the SystemLegal status and distrust leads to “Fear of the System” ”

Initial experience with health care system may have been Initial experience with health care system may have been uncomfortable and displeasing.uncomfortable and displeasing.

Desire for healthcare is counteracted by belief in Desire for healthcare is counteracted by belief in inaccessibility to healthcare system.inaccessibility to healthcare system.

BREAKING THE BARRIERS BREAKING THE BARRIERS Providing Material and Information that is Providing Material and Information that is

Culturally RelevantCulturally Relevant

Integrating culture into the health message and Integrating culture into the health message and materials (i.e. nutrition and food options)materials (i.e. nutrition and food options)

Assuring medical services will not threaten Assuring medical services will not threaten their legal statustheir legal status

Promoting “good health” is not just the Promoting “good health” is not just the absence absence of illnessof illness

Promoting the concept of primary carePromoting the concept of primary care

Utilizing Interpreters Utilizing Interpreters

University of Connecticut School of University of Connecticut School of MedicineMedicine

MIGRANT FARM WORKER CLINICSMIGRANT FARM WORKER CLINICS

Six WCSU students participated in the Six WCSU students participated in the clinics delivering health education completing clinics delivering health education completing 60 hours of combined service learning.60 hours of combined service learning.

Yinnette Espinal became a lead coordinator Yinnette Espinal became a lead coordinator and interpreter.and interpreter.

Students conducted screenings of blood Students conducted screenings of blood pressure, blood glucose levels and pulse at pressure, blood glucose levels and pulse at the vitals station.the vitals station.

Facts about the Summer ClinicsFacts about the Summer Clinics

Connecticut is host to nearly 20,000 Migrant Connecticut is host to nearly 20,000 Migrant Farm Workers each year.Farm Workers each year.The migrant farm worker population represents The migrant farm worker population represents some of the most economically disadvantaged some of the most economically disadvantaged people in the U.S. Three quarters of farm people in the U.S. Three quarters of farm workers earn less that $10,000/year, and three workers earn less that $10,000/year, and three out of five families have income below poverty out of five families have income below poverty level. level. In 2008, free services were provided to over 500 In 2008, free services were provided to over 500 migrant farm workers at 31 separate clinics. Of migrant farm workers at 31 separate clinics. Of those clients, 242 were provided with counseling those clients, 242 were provided with counseling on hypertension, pre-diabetes and diabetes. on hypertension, pre-diabetes and diabetes.

UConn Migrant Farm Worker ClinicsUConn Migrant Farm Worker Clinics

Health Education TopicsHealth Education TopicsOsteoporosis & ArthritisOsteoporosis & ArthritisCardiovascular Disease & HypertensionCardiovascular Disease & HypertensionDiabetesDiabetesNutrition & ExerciseNutrition & ExerciseCancer PreventionCancer PreventionDental CareDental CareVision & Hearing Vision & Hearing Emergency PreparednessEmergency PreparednessTuberculosis & H1N1Tuberculosis & H1N1STDsSTDsMusculoskeletal Problems & Back CareMusculoskeletal Problems & Back CareLyme Disease & West Nile VirusLyme Disease & West Nile VirusPterygium & UVA/B Eye and Skin exposurePterygium & UVA/B Eye and Skin exposure

DENTAL EDUCATION AT DENTAL EDUCATION AT PRIDES CORNER FARMPRIDES CORNER FARM

“The more involved I became with AHEC, the more I leaned about the issues of Latino health care. My interest has grown so much that I now will minor in Latino Studies and

Master in Public Health.”

BACK SAFETY EDUCATION AT BACK SAFETY EDUCATION AT PLANT GROUP FARMPLANT GROUP FARM

“After volunteering at the farms for two semesters, I’ve come to realize that it’s important to learn Spanish, now I plan to minor in it.”

NUTRITION EDUCATION AT NUTRITION EDUCATION AT PLANT GROUP FARMPLANT GROUP FARM

“It helped me learn how to take a broad topic and pinpoint the more important parts to give people a greater understanding.”

BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS AT PLANT GROUP FARMAT PLANT GROUP FARM

“It really opened me up to the issues that concern the world now and has made me want to volunteer and help out the community.”

COVENANT SOUP KITCHENCOVENANT SOUP KITCHEN

NUTRITION EDUCATION AT NUTRITION EDUCATION AT COVENANT SOUP KITCHENCOVENANT SOUP KITCHEN

“Professionally, this program helped me grow as a person in a more positive way, and besides it looking great on a resume, the program allowed me to focus on networking, to

implement the use of Spanish language, and making new friends.”

DIABETES AND BMI EDUCATION DIABETES AND BMI EDUCATION AT COVENANT SOUP KITCHENAT COVENANT SOUP KITCHEN

“The soup kitchen was an eye opening experience and solidified my desire to become a doctor.”

HEALTH LITERACY HEALTH LITERACY NUTRITION EDUCATIONNUTRITION EDUCATION

“I feel as though I gained a lot from this experience, both in my ability to communicate with people that I didn’t know, as well as learning the importance of health education as

a preventative tool.”

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMAFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMGLOW-GERM ACTIVITY GLOW-GERM ACTIVITY

“I have changed from someone with little experience working with this population to someone with a passion for the access to healthcare and information for the

underserved.”

HEALTH LITERACY HEALTH LITERACY CHILD DEVELOPMENT EDUCATIONCHILD DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION

“This has been one of the best experiences of my life, and I would not change it for anything.”

CHSC at West ConnCHSC at West Conn

Currently there are 23 core trained service-learnersCurrently there are 23 core trained service-learners

An Official CHSC Club has been established. An Official CHSC Club has been established. Brandon Litwin is the current President. Brandon Litwin is the current President.

Many of the students are from the Danbury area.Many of the students are from the Danbury area.

Six regular volunteer sites established in the greater Six regular volunteer sites established in the greater Danbury areaDanbury area

Three Service Projects completed in 2008-2009Three Service Projects completed in 2008-2009

Service Learning SitesService Learning Sites

YMCA Children’s CenterYMCA Children’s Center

Bethel Health Care (senior care)Bethel Health Care (senior care)

The Homesteads of Newtown (senior care)The Homesteads of Newtown (senior care)

Hispanic Center of Danbury Hispanic Center of Danbury

Primetime House (psychiatric group home)Primetime House (psychiatric group home)

Federal Correctional Institute of DanburyFederal Correctional Institute of Danbury

2008-2009 Service Projects2008-2009 Service ProjectsYouth Empowerment Conference April ’09: Youth Empowerment Conference April ’09: Youth Reacting to AIDS ProjectYouth Reacting to AIDS Project

Sponsor: Interfaith AIDS MinistrySponsor: Interfaith AIDS Ministry

Medical Reserve Corps TrainingMedical Reserve Corps Trainingdisaster relief & emergency triagedisaster relief & emergency triage

March 2009: Women’s Health MonthMarch 2009: Women’s Health Month

WCSU Majors RepresentedWCSU Majors RepresentedBiology, Biochemistry & ChemistryBiology, Biochemistry & Chemistry

Pre Health Professions: Occupational Pre Health Professions: Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Nursing and Therapy, Physical Therapy, Nursing and Physician Assistant, Medicine & Dental Physician Assistant, Medicine & Dental MedicineMedicine

Community Health, Elementary Education, Community Health, Elementary Education, Business Management, Psychology, Business Management, Psychology, History and CommunicationsHistory and Communications

Achievements of 2008-2009Achievements of 2008-2009635 combined total service learning hours635 combined total service learning hours

Summer Participation in Migrant Farm Summer Participation in Migrant Farm Worker Clinics of the UConn School of Worker Clinics of the UConn School of Medicine summed 60 service learning Medicine summed 60 service learning hours.hours.

An Official CHSC Club was established. An Official CHSC Club was established.

Work-study money is available for Work-study money is available for students who qualify.students who qualify.

CHSC service learning had an impact on…CHSC service learning had an impact on…

90% of students believed their original perspective of 90% of students believed their original perspective of population served had changed.population served had changed.

100% of students believed CHSC increased their ability to 100% of students believed CHSC increased their ability to make a difference in the lives of those served.make a difference in the lives of those served.

100 % of students believed CHSC had an influence on their 100 % of students believed CHSC had an influence on their understanding of how poverty impacts health.understanding of how poverty impacts health.

100% of students would recommend CHSC to a Friend.100% of students would recommend CHSC to a Friend.

70% of students are interested in taking a leadership 70% of students are interested in taking a leadership position in the CHSC Student Group.position in the CHSC Student Group.

Goals for 2009-2010Goals for 2009-2010Increase West Conn Student Participation Increase West Conn Student Participation Expand Service Learning Sites and ProjectsExpand Service Learning Sites and ProjectsIncrease the total number of service learning hours Increase the total number of service learning hours and the number of Intermediate and Advanced and the number of Intermediate and Advanced Trained StudentsTrained StudentsParticipation in the Poster Presentations at the Participation in the Poster Presentations at the November College Corps Symposium at the UCONN November College Corps Symposium at the UCONN School of Medicine School of Medicine Succeed at Supporting West Conn Students in Succeed at Supporting West Conn Students in application to Health Professions Graduate Programsapplication to Health Professions Graduate ProgramsInvestigate Web-based training and the introduction Investigate Web-based training and the introduction of social networks to enhance the quality of of social networks to enhance the quality of participation and acceleration through the programparticipation and acceleration through the program

CONTACT INFORMATIONCONTACT INFORMATIONNorthwestern Connecticut AHECNorthwestern Connecticut AHECAmy Riviere, Regional CoordinatorAmy Riviere, Regional Coordinator

530 Middlebury Rd Suite 212 B530 Middlebury Rd Suite 212 BMiddlebury CT, 06762Middlebury CT, 06762

P: 203-758-1110P: 203-758-1110F: 203-758-1193 F: 203-758-1193

E: ariviere@nwctahec.orgE: ariviere@nwctahec.orgwww.nwctahec.orgwww.nwctahec.org