Sisters Compañeras Program. Begun
in 1992, the Sisters Compañeras Program provides
education on healthy pregnancy, and general women’s
health issues, such as diabetes, high blood pressure,
hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. The
program offers free pregnancy and HIV programs, as
well as health referrals for appropriate medical, social,
and mental health services. Through peer support
groups, health educators work with pregnant women to
ensure healthy pregnancies and births and to educate
them about related wellness issues such as the birth
process, breast feeding, nutrition, self-esteem, parenting
and communication skills, car and home child safety,
child development, pesticide and work place health
and safety, child immunizations, domestic violence,
substance abuse, and community resources. The
Sisters Compañeras Program outreaches to more
than 3,000 farmworker and other low-income minority
women in high risk areas of Orange, Lake, and Volusia
Counties.
Vocational Rehabilitation Program. Farm
work is one of the most dangerous occupations, not
only due to daily exposure to pesticides, but also
due to other workplace hazards and/or repetitive motion. Many
times farmworkers experience health problems related
to their work environment but do not seek help because
they are unaware of the resources available, for economic
reasons, or for fear of losing their jobs. The
purpose of the Farmworker Association’s Vocational
Rehabilitation Program is to connect injured farmworkers
with appropriate services so they can either continue
in farm work or pursue another profession. These
services include medical treatment, physical or mental
therapy, retraining in new job skills, and employment
assistance. Project staff serve as caseworkers
for the clients and often provide translation and transportation.
The Vocational Rehabilitation Project outreaches to more
than 2,000 farmworkers per year in Orange, Lake, Volusia,
Putnam and Polk Counties. They serve as case
managers for more than 150 injured farmworkers each
year. |
