UCLA Labor Center

Dream Resource Center

Health Ambassadors

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The Health Ambassador Fellowship trained and developed immigrant leaders as health advocates for undocumented Californians in the following regions: Los Angeles, Inland Empire, Sacramento, and Kern County. The nine-month fellowship was the Dream Resource Center’s health initiative that fostered immigrant health advocates in regions considered “health deserts” within California. The fellows worked to address wellness through organizational coalition building and community engagement. Some of the goals of Health Ambassadors included the dissemination of health materials and coordination of events that promoted enrollment in the health care system, and educational advocacy on immigrant health issues.

Media: 

Tour advocating health care for immigrants visits San Bernardino Valley College

Health care for all must be more than talk

Immigrant wellness tour launches with stops statewide

Related Posts: 

Fellow Spotlight – Luis Suarez 

Fellow Spotlight – Julio Vargas 

Wellness tour kickoff 

Undocumented and Uninsured

The Healthy California Survey Project sought to document the experiences and impact of immigrant youth and their families in navigating the health care system in California. We conducted a survey of undocumented and “DACAmented” (individuals granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) youth to understand access and barriers to health care.

From June 2013 to August 2013, the a research team surveyed 550 undocumented and “DACA”mented youth about their experience with health care in California. The research utilized a participatory methodology that allowed for those directly impacted by the health care exclusion policy to lead the research project and analyze findings.  The research team was comprised of 37 immigrant youth ranging in age and educational attainment. They conducted face-to-face surveys with peers during the Dream Summer 2013 program.

As a result, this was the first statewide research project about and by immigrant youth on healthcare access. An advisory board comprised of academics, health advocates, community partners, policy experts and funders provided invaluable insight throughout the project. Undocumented and Uninsured build on the solid and growing body of research about the lives of undocumented communities. The findings helped inform policy and programs to improve healthcare access for immigrant communities in California.

Read and download the reports below:

UNDOCUMENTED AND UNINSURED PART 1: NO PAPERS, NO HEALTH CARE

UNDOCUMENTED AND UNINSURED PART 2: BAND-AID CARE

UNDOCUMENTED AND UNINSURED PART 3: POL[ICE] IN MY HEAD

UNDOCUMENTED AND UNINSURED PART 4: THE POWER OF A HEALTHY COMMUNITY

UNDOCUMENTED AND UNINSURED PART 5: A PRESCRIPTION FOR A HEALTHY CALIFORNIA