About Community Voices Miami (2003 - 2008)
In 1998, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation launched a nationwide initiative, "Community Voices: Healthcare for the Underserved." The aim of this work was to improve access to health care for the poor and underserved throughout the United States. Miami was one of thirteen sites selected to participate in the program. During the first five years, Community Voices Miami focused on convening the community's health care providers, consumers, and stakeholders to work together toward one common goal: improve access to health care for the uninsured and underserved people of Miami-Dade County.
The project leaders focused on building community-wide consensus around policy recommendations and action steps that would be implemented in Miami-Dade County. The result of these efforts was the Miami Action Plan (MAP) for Access to Health Care. A number of recommendations have been implemented over the years, including the establishment of a Countywide Office of Health Care Planning and the development of a school based health program, School HealthConnect, through The Children's Trust.
A History of Community Health Workers: Assisting the Underserved
Few people outside the health services field know about Community Health Workers. Yet thousands of CHWs are working in their communities every day. Through education, advocacy and outreach, CHWs help their neighbors navigate the healthcare bureaucracy and social system maze by breaking down the barriers to needed care. In multi-ethnic and underserved communities, CHWs build trusting relationships and play a significant role in helping to uncover and possibly reduce racial and ethnic healthcare disparities.
National Health Care Reform and its Potential Impact on Florida
The Collins Center recently co-sponsored a very successful forum at Miami-Dade College on National Health Care Reform and Its Potential Impacts in Florida. Our fellow co-sponsor was the National Coalition on Health Care, co-chaired by former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter.