Center for Hispanic Policy & Advocacy

Who are we?

Or mission is to lead and influence change and provide services that improve the quality of life for Latinos in Rhode Island.

Our efforts have been successful in reaching and providing vital programs for a growing Latino community. Our programs reached 9968 individuals, primarily Latinos in the July, 2001 to June, 2002 Program Year and 6513 individuals, primarily Latinos in the July, 2002 to June, 2003 Program Year. Although, the report for the July, 2003 to June, 2004 Program Year is not yet available, preliminary data indicates that we will have served approximately 5000-6000 individuals, primarily Latinos through its programs.

The majority of our clients are newly arrived Latinos immigrants who are non-English speaking and are unfamiliar with the existing infrastructure of programs and services that are available. In addition, many have immigration challenges that impact their daliy lives and prevent them from seeking programs and services or reporting crimes.

What is the Problem?

LATINOS IN RI: A GROWING COMMUNITY:

The 2000 Census for Rhode Island reported that Latinos comprised 90,820 or 9% of the Rhode Island population. The 2000 Census also documented the growing diversity of Latinos, which were comprised of the following groups: Puerto Rico (28%), Dominican Republic (20%), Guatemala (10%), Mexico (6%), and Colombia (6%). It is important to note that the Latino community doubled in size since the 1990 Census.

This growth has posed many challenges for a state with limited capacity to serve the needs of a growing Latino community. Furthermore, various data sources indicate that Latinos in Rhode Island face high levels of poverty, lack of access to health care, high incidence of health diseases, challenges with immigration and challenges with labor issues.

FEAR TO REPORT CRIMES:

"My husband drinks and uses drugs sometimes and he comes home very angry. He wakes me up and hits me. He is a US citizen. I am here illegally. We have done our papers with immigration. I can’t call the police because he says he will have me reported. I have to just keep strong and take the beatings." Translated from Latina victim

"The other night I was walking home from cashing my check at the corner store and I was robbed. I did not call the police because I am here illegally and do not want them to call immigration. Unfortunately they took my entire pay check and now I can’t pay my rent." Translated from Latino victim

"They stold my car and I don’t know what to do. I did not call the police because I am illegal. This happens all the time in my neighborhood. What can we do?" Translated from Latino victim

LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAW, PROGRAMS AND SERVICES:

The above quotes also exemplify the lack of knowledge of laws and available programs and services amongst Latino immigrants.

LACK OF HEALTH INSURANCE:

According to the RI Department of Health, Latinos have the highest rate of uninsured in Rhode Island at 30 %. The lack of insurance seriously impacts an individual’s access to care after the abuse has occurred and consequently impacts their legal case.

The growth in the Latino community, the fear to report crimes, the lack of knowledge of the law, programs and services and the lack of insurance impact a victim’s ability to seek help. All of these important factors, require a comprehensive, culturally competent approach.

Our Action Plan

We have a plan called, the AYUSAME/HELP ME Program that provides a comprehensive direct services and education program to Latino victims of crime, in particular newly arrived immigrants, who are limited or non-English speaking. The Program accomplishes this goal by implementing the following objectives and activities:

Structural Objective

• Objective 1: As of November, 2004, the Center has the resources that are needed to operate, including staff, facilities, information materials, curriculums, and training programs for staff.

Activities:

• Staff providing necessary training to Case Manager and a Health Promoter to implement the program (r
• Formalizing agreements with agencies and providers to provide services.
• Contacting local and national groups for bilingual materials and information .
• Developing Training curriculum and schedule

Process Objectives

Objective 1: Provides 12 educational workshops to at least 200 individuals on crimes, laws, programs and services.

Activities:

• Conduct trainings for on crimes, laws, programs and services.
• Develop and implement schedule of Workshops
• Develop and implement Outreach Plan to recruit consumers Workshops
• Objective 2: By the end of the program year, Staff will provide case management services to at least 100 individuals.

Activities:

• Develop and implement comprehensive intake to assess needs
• Establish a tracking and referral system to ensure that clients are receiving services as a result of our referrals

Outcome Objectives

Objective 1 100 participants will have increased knowledge regarding crimes, laws, programs and services.as measured by pre- and post tests.

Activities:

• Design and implement a pre/post survey to measure changes in participant's knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors crimes, laws, programs and services.