HEALTH PROMOTER FORUM

The promoter ("promotor") model has been used successfully in Latin America to enhance services and information sharing to underserved populations. The model utilizes informal support systems in communities, typically training several members as “promotores” who, in turn, engage and inform their neighbors on important issues and connect them to services, advocates and others. On Friday, September 21, 2007, the Creciendo Juntos (CJ) Health Promoter Working Group will provide a forum on the health promoter model. Speakers will include coordinators of Virginia organizations that have experience training and deploying “promotores”, including Karen Bunn, from Richmond’s Cross Over Ministries Hispanic Health Education Program; Joyce Sanchez from Harrisonburg’s Promotoras de Salud, Blue Ridge AHEC; and Jan Wolfe, CJ member from the Rural Health Outreach Program/RHOP. Other speakers include Lindsey Holscomb who will talk about the new promoter program that the Sexual Assault Resource Agency plans to implement, and Dilcia Colindres, from the Shelter for Help in Emergencies, who, several years ago, was trained by RHOP as a promoter. The forum will end with a question and answer period.