We invite you to make use of the different health programs that our agency sponsors to benefit you, the families of the South Yuma County.

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ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE

Community Access Program of Arizona and Mexico (CAPAZ-MEX) Medical Discount Network

A Medical Safety Net to the uninsured and vulnerable residents of Yuma County. A program that facilitates access to professional healthcare at discounts prices the uninsured can afford. A system that provides you with a medical home for primary and preventive healthcare. In addition, should the need arise, the CAPAZ-MEX Discount Network provides a discount for specialty, diagnostic, and inpatient care. An opportunity for members to participate in their own care by allowing affordable care, provided by Yuma County Healthcare Providers, at greatly reduced prices. A Discount Network, not a health insurance for Yuma County Residents in which the member is responsible for payment to healthcare provider at the time of the visit.

The CAPAZ-MEX Discount Network works as follows:

The CAPAZ-MEX Discount Network membership is available to Yuma County residents who have income levels too high to qualify for health programs such as AHCCCS, yet cannot afford traditional health insurance.

Perspective members are screened prior to insure the 100 – 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and then enrolled in a low annual fee healthcare discount program. The member is made aware of his/her responsibility for payment of healthcare at discounted rate.

The qualified member is then assigned a “Medical Home” for primary healthcare with one of the participant primary care health providers.

If need for specialty healthcare, diagnostic, testing, or inpatient care arises, the member is referred to a participant healthcare specialist where the member will obtain services at a discounted rate.

The CAPAZ-MEX Discount Network is not an insurance program; members will self-pay based upon pre-negotiated discounted rates.

“Nuestros Niños” Healthcare Census and Immunization Campaign

The Regional Center for Border Health, Inc. has conducted a census campaign throughout South Yuma County, which includes the communities of San Luis, Somerton, and Gadsden, Arizona for the past eleven years, and since 2002 the census campaign has been conducted in the City of Yuma, Arizona as well. This campaign is an intensive door-to-door effort using community outreach workers / Promotores and students participating in the Summer Youth Program with the Yuma Private Industry Council. The target population includes the uninsured/underinsured families, children needing immunizations and children with special needs, pregnant women with no prenatal care and families at risk for chronic diseases (diabetes and CVD). Once these individuals are identified the community outreach workers / promotores assist in guiding the families through a case management process in which they are oriented to the much needed community resources.

The Regional Center for Border Health, Inc. has incorporated the use of the community outreach workers / promotores during this campaign as an effective means of overcoming barriers to accessing health care including: language, fear of authority, illiteracy, lack of education and cultural differences. By training Promotores who are members of the community, RCBH has been able to recognize and begin to address the need of quality healthcare for the underserved populations of south Yuma County. The information gathered during the “Nuestros Niños” Campaign is shared border-wide to help other communities formulate strategic plans to strengthen medical safety nets for the uninsured and underinsured in all U.S. – Mexico border communities. In 2008, the “Nuestros Niños” Campaign visited 941 homes in Somerton, AZ and reached 145 families. RCBH promotores identified 186 children and 262 adults who were uninsured and assisted these individuals with the enrollment process into the KidsCare and AHCCCS Programs.

This year, through the collaborations of various organizations, Immunization Campaigns took place in the cities of San Luis, Somerton and Yuma, Arizona.

Nuestros Niños Summer 2007

Paso a Paso/Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes Prevention Control

The Paso a Paso Program provides the community with the necessary information and motivation to prevent cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Promotoras have been providing nutrition classes and forming neighborhood based “walking clubs” in Yuma County. These classes are given in community centers, churches, schools and other civic locations to reach as many women as possible and help them build support networks for better health.

We invite you to participate in the "Paso a Paso" classes:

1.   Are you at risk for heart disease?
2.   Be more physically active
3.   Are you at risk for diabetes?
4.   What you need to know about high blood pressure, salt and sodium
5.   Nutrition
6.   Maintain a healthy weight
7.   Glucose and sugar
8.   Make healthy eating a family affair
9.   Eat healthier even when time or money is tight
10. Is our community healthy?
11. Enjoy living smoke free

Join us to learn how to have a healthier life style.

School Health Index (SHI)

SHI is a nine (9) module protocol to evaluate the healthy diet and exercise level of any school.

From the results SHI develops an action plan that targets any weaknesses. The self assessment and planning tool enables schools to: (1) Identified the strengths and weaknesses of the schools health promotions policies and programs. (2) Develop an action plan for improving student health. (3) Involves teachers, parents, students, and the community in improving schools policies and programs.

Promoting healthy and safe behaviors among students is an important part of the fundamental mission of schools, which is to provide young people with the knowledge and skills they need to become healthy and productive adults. Improving student health and safety can: (a) increase students' capacity to learn, (b) reduce absenteeism, and (c) improve physical fitness and mental alertness.

As a result your school's results from using the School Health Index can help you include health promotion activities in your overall School Improvement Plan. There is growing recognition of the relationship between health and academic performance, and completing the School Health Index can become one of your school's important Leave No Child Behind educational reform activities.

Well Woman Health Check/ Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Services

Well Woman Health Check Program (WWHP) is a federally funded program through Arizona Department of Health Services since 1999, with the goal of preventing mortality from breast and cervical cancer. Health screening services are rpovided to women from 40 to 64 years of age, household income between 100% and 250% of the Federal Poverty level and are uninsured or underinsured. Well Woman Healthcheck also seeks to increase the proportion of woman who isrescreened regularly to ensure early detection and prevention.

Free services provided:

Clinical Breast Exam
Pelvic Exam
Mammogram
Pap Smear
Case Management
Diagnostic Procedures

Treatment for Breast & Cervical Cancer detected trough the WWHP screening services, if they meet eligibility criteria: No creditable coverage; under 65 years of age; legal resident.

Regional Center for Border Health,Inc. (RCBH) is the lead agency responsible to carry out the program in Yuma County.

Regional Center for Border Health, Inc. is also coordinating and sponsoring the Yuma County Breast and Cervical Cancer Coalition who presents the Annual Yuma County Pink Tea to raise funds for emergency medical expenses for the uninsured and underinsured women who are identified with cancer.

Yuma County Breast and Cervical Cancer Coalition

In 1997, Regional Center for Border Health, Inc. in collaboration with the Arizona Department of Health Services / Well Woman Health Check Program developed the Yuma County Breast and Cervicla Cancer Coalition. Its mission: to decrease the mortality rate of breast and cervical cancer in all women in Yuma County, through education, outreach, screening, treatment, community awareness and involvement. The Coalition's purpose is to address the comprehensive breast and cervical cancer needs of women in Yuma County and develop a need's assessment and action plan.

Mission Statement: To decrease the mortality rate of breast and cervical cancer in all women in Yuma County; through education, outreach, screeining, treatment, community awareness and involvement.

Coalition Members:

Sheryl Shantz, Chair
Regional Center for Border Health, Inc./WWHP
San Luis Walk-In Clinic, Inc.
Associates for Women's Health
Beverly Curry
Ft. Yuma Hospital, Indian Health Services
Hospice of Yuma
Sunset Community Health Center
Women's Health Specialists
Yuma County Health Department
Yuma Regional Medical Center Foundation

What does the program do?

The Program funds the sollowing services for qualifying women:

•  Clinical Breast exam
•  Breast self-exam introduction
•  Mammogram (screening and diagnostic)
•  Pap Smear
•  Pelvic Exam
•  Diagnostic Procedures

Benefits for Health Care Providers

•  Reimbursement based on Medicare allowable expenses and other factors
•  Be a part of a county-wide effort to reduce breast and cervical cancer
•  Contribute to developing a prevention-oriented community

Opportunities for Health Care

•  Be a participating provider by designating a number of screening appointments to be performed under WWHP
•  Provide follow-up treatment on a reduced or no cost basis
•  Facilitate ongoing educational efforts for breast and cervical cancer prevention
•  Participate on the coalition

The Facts

Approximately 2,500 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and 190 are diagnosed with cervical cancer in Arizona each year. Every year, 550 women will die of breast cancer and 90 will die from cervical cancer.

These are preventable death that could have been avoided through regular screeining exams. The key to increasing the population of cancer survivors is to increase the proportion of cancers diagnosed in the earliest stages of the disease. It is only through early dtection and treatment that a woman's chance of survival is increased.

Benefits to Yuma County Participants

By being involved in Well Woman Healthcheck, participants will:

Receive annual screenings and mammography
Gain an awareness of preventive self-care
Help reduce the mortality rate of breast and cervical cancer

Annual Fashion Show

The Fashion Show is an event where breast cancer patients, survivors, friends and supporters gather for an afternoon to celebrate beauty, life and survivorship, while raising funds in support of the Yuma County Breast and Cervical Cancer Coalition. Tha Fashion Show is a unique event, because most of the models are breast cancer survivors. This event gives survivors a time to shine, feel beautiful and special, and recognized for all they've been trhoug.

Yuma County Annual Pink Tea

This event has been established to raise the awareness of the need for early detection and treatment of breast and cervical cancer. During the Pink Tea we celebrate life with cancer survivors, their families and friends, and we offer encouragement, support and hope to those that have been affected by this devastating disease and, most of all, it is a way to educate the Yuma County citizens and leaders about the issues surrounding breast cancer.

"Entre Amigas" / "Between Friends" - Breast and Cervical Cancer Awareness Program

1. Breast Cancer
2. Breast Self Exam
3. Cervical Cancer
4. Nutrition
5. Self Esteem

Woman to Woman

Its main purpose is to provide cancer awareness education to women in rural and medically underserved communities of Mohave and La Paz County. The primary responsibilities of the program are to emphasize the importance of breast clinical and self-breast examination. Provide health education regarding “healthy lifestyles” through home visits and group education.

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Recruitment in the Border Region

Environmental Health/Occupational Safety “Gotitas de Aire/Droplets of Air”

An Asthma Prevention Program, which goal is to work with the health system so that individuals understand the importance of implementing the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program guidelines; and working through schools so that we can most directly affect the health of children in Yuma County. Together we can make a difference, by helping the children that suffer from this illness. It will not hurt us to give them a few, “Gotitas de Aire /Droplets of Air.

Project H.E.R.O. - A Community Health Education, Promotion and Mental Health Program

Helping to Empower and Reach Out to Youth & Community to Prevent Drug Abuse
A Drug-Free Communities Support Program

Get Involved

Yuma Community Action Coalition

Coalition membership is spread throughout Yuma County, therefore only one regular prepare for General Coalition meetings, prevention initiatives and activities.

Members are encouraged to attend regular coalition meetings on the first Wednesday of the month in September, October, November, January, February, March and May.

There is no fee to become a member of the Coalition. The only requirement is a willingness to help change communities conditions which place youth and their families at risk of drug and alcohol use, violence and related problems.

To join us simply contact:

Claudia Ulloa, Program Director
Regional Center for Border Health, Inc.
culloa@rcfbh.org or (928) 627-9222

The Mission

Project HERO supports the Yuma Community Action Coalition structure and process and encourages a variety of community members to cooperate effectively in building capacity through advocacy, health promotion and community-based prevention initiatives.

Goals and Objectives

•  Promote community and school base prevention models which addess the needs of youth at-risk of substance abuse, violence and other emotional health problems.

•  Advocate for the needs of at-risk youth and families to reduce problems associated with drug and alcohol use including behavioral health disorders, family and domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and other criminal offenses.

•  Disseminate prevention education information through Coalition meetings, prevention campaigns and other social marketing activities with local media.

•  Provide public access to free drug abuse prevention information and resources through an established Drug Abuse Prevention Resource Center.

•  Promote early problem identification and access to care through community outreach efforts, which connect at-risk youth and families with health and behavioral health professionals and agencies.

•  Promote and recognize culturally competent and effective substance abuse prevention services and programs.

•  Demonstrate collaboration, coordination and cooperation among Coalition members, health and behavioral health professionals, community agencies, local schools and youth-serving organizations, business leaders, media, faith-based groups, and citizens, to leverage funding to support local programs and services through federal, state, public and private sources.

•  Evaluate the effectiveness of Project H.E.R.O. efforts to reduce youth drug and alcohol use and related problems.

The Regional Center for Border Health, Inc. is one of three Arizona FY2004 grantees receiving support from the Drug-Free Communities Program. The Regional Center for Border HEALTH, Inc., provides administrative oversight of Project H.E.R.O. goals and objectives and also serves as the project’s fiscal agent. The Regional Center for Border Health, Inc., also serves as the lead agency in partnership with Community Intervention Associates, a licensed behavioral health provider agency. Project H.E.R.O. staff and coalition leaders and members prioritize prevention goals and objectives which promote and advocate for the integration of health and behavioral health services which can address the needs of children, youth and families most affected by substance abuse and related problems.

A community health education, promotion and mental health program. The primary goal of Project is to increase knowledge and awareness of young people at risk of depression, suicide, drug abuse, violence, sexually transmitted diseases, the importance of physical activity, and good nutrition between other related health and/or mental health problems. It offers training opportunities to a wide group of “gatekeepers” including parents, teachers, school counselors , nurses and mental health care providers. Activities also hope to increase the proficiency in responding to the needs of children and adolescents in our community.

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Improving Accessibility and Availability of Health Care

Health Buzz Mobil Unit

Annual National Community Health Workers / Promotores Conference

For the past ten (10) years, The Regional Center for Border Health, Inc. has sponsored and organized the “Annual National Community Health Workers/Promotores Conference” in collaboration with many local, state, and national organizations with an average of 350 attendees. Last year's conference was celebrated in Mesa, Arizona with great success. Last year's conference theme was “Capacity Building and Promoting Sustainable Community-Based Outreach Programs"..