A shift in demographics occurred in Waukesha County between 1990 and 2000 as the Hispanic population increased from 3% to 6%. A consorted effort to better understand Hispanics and to support next steps began.

In 1996, a Health Care Needs Survey identified a lack of Spanish language health promotion and early detection programs. In 1997 Waukesha Memorial Hospital’s (WMH) Community Health Needs Report revealed that Hispanic health care was a priority area of need. In 2000, the “Waukesha Hispanic Community Health Care Needs Assessment” showed a lack of culturally competent and language accessible health services. Formalized partnerships were formed in 1999 –between Waukesha Memorial Hospital, Waukesha Family Practice Center, La Casa de Esperanza, Inc., and Center for Healthy Communities of MCW with the goal of developing the Waukesha Hispanic Health Initiative.

In 2001, the Hispanic Community Health Resource Center (HCHRC) opened in the heart of the community we serve.  The Center is a department and community benefit initiative of Waukesha Memorial Hospital (WMH), one of the flagship hospitals of ProHealth Care. It is funded with WMH foundation, grants, and operational dollars. The mission of the HCHRC is to promote health care, reduce barriers to obtaining care, and provide individualized free health services to the Hispanic community, including the uninsured and undocumented. The use of culturally proficient and bilingual staff in a best practice model of care delivery has been of utmost importance to achieving our core mission. The Center’s staff consists of three nurses, three health promoters, a program coordinator, a social worker, and an administrative assistant.  Additional personnel are hired based on grant deliverables.

Bilingual staff at the center helps connect local Hispanics with both medical and community resources, work as health advocates in the community and answer questions about health and available services. The nurses provide direct health care services and act as case managers for many with chronic disease to support the continuum of care and self-management of chronic diseases.  Based on research, the center especially targets six nationally identified areas of health need among Hispanics: diabetes, cardiac, cancer, maternal-child, prevention/early detection and health care access.

Waukesha Memorial Hospital has employed community health workers (CHW) since 2002 as part of the work of the HCHRC and currently employs three part-time Hispanic Health Promoters (HP) whose efforts have been well-received by clients. Peer programs have proven successful in addressing health disparities of minorities and economically disadvantaged people. After doing an exhaustive literature search, which included the National Community Health Advisory Study, it made sense to use this best practice model to reach out to our Hispanic population. The National Community Health Advisory Study’s goal was to bring awareness of the CHW program to policy makers and practitioners, provide an informative field-based perspective of the role, and offer recommendations or guidelines for this work. This work was funded through the Robert Wood Johnson and the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Article written by:
Deborah Ziebarth, RN, MSN
Manager of Pro Health Care's Community Outreach Nursing Programs
Waukesha Memorial Hospital
Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital

Bebe Feliz – Happy Baby Program

• Education and support for parents during their baby’s first year of life

Bienestar – Quarterly Newsletter

• Health information, community events, and HCHRC program information

BMI / Healthy Weight Program (Peso Saludable)

• Provides 1:1 BMI calculations and nutrition and physical activity education to achieve and maintain a healthy weight

Car Seat Program

• Discounted (or waived) fee for car seat provided following education and successful installation of car seat into vehicle

Cardiac Risk Reduction & Obesity Prevention Program (¡Si Podemos!)

• Annual (grant funded) program to decrease cardiac risk and prevent childhood obesity
• Adults receive free screenings pre and post program (lipid panel, BP, glucose)
• 8 sessions of nutrition education, whole-family physical activity, and healthy meal

Cardiac Risk Reduction/Obesity Prevention Support Group (¡Si Podemos Continuar!)

• Monthly exercise/nutrition support group for present and past participants of ¡Si Podemos! program

Childbirth Education (CBE)—Preparándose para el Parto

• Quarterly childbirth education classes offered in Spanish

Client Advisory Group (Junta Consultiva)

• Quarterly meetings held.  HRC provides progress report and seeks feedback r/t health needs from the community

Chronic Disease Management

• Education, advocacy, and resourcing to improve self-management of all types of chronic disease—led by RN

Diabetes Education and Support (Mi Salud, Mi Vida) Program

• Group education for type II diabetics, family members, or at risk individuals

Exercise Program (Children)

• Physical and nutrition education grades 1 through 5 held at White Rock School
• This program is currently on hold

Exercise and Dance Program (for Women)

• 4 sessions annually
• Each 8-week session meets twice per week

Financial Advocacy

• Assistance with T-19 and charity care applications
• Medical bill advocacy as needed

Forever Young (Jóvenes Para Siempre) Senior Group

• Monthly health presentation and physical activity offered

Health & Beauty Series

• Healthy lifestyle information for women – monthly

Lactation Support

• Spanish language classes held at hospital
• 1:1 support, including home visits, as needed

Monthly Group Presentations

• Community Presentations (charlas) offered monthly on a wide variety of health topics
• Topics chosen based on client feedback from surveys

New Baby/New Mom Assessments

• Support nurse with post partum assessment phone calls made to all Spanish-speaking women who deliver at WMH and OMH
• Follow up as needed (phone or home visit)

Screenings

• Blood pressure screenings

Senior Gardening Project

• Grant funded program whereby seniors plant vegetable gardens in the community and container gardens to take home
• Special gardening tools for seniors
• Bus transportation to garden plots

Social Worker Support / Advocacy

• In addition to financial advocacy for medical billing, provide advocacy and referrals related to the client’s health care access and general well being

Walking Group—Paso a Paso

• Whole family walking group held twice a week June – August