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 Group2) Changes to Curriculum3) Higher staff (Program Coordinator & Office

Assistant)4) Changes to Marketing Materials5) 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?