Newsletter of the College of Architecture at Texas A&M University
Thirteen community health workers who have been sharpening their communications skills at the Center for Housing and Urban Development’s training academy formed its first graduating class June 19.
The graduates can now use their skills to inform colonias residents about health care and social service options.
“The students completed a six-month training program certified by the Texas Department of State Health Services,” said Oscar Muñoz, CHUD’s deputy director.
Known as promotoras by the colonias residents they serve, their training covered the following skills:
Promotoras are predominantly colonias residents recruited and trained to provide their neighbors with information on health and human services, education, workforce development and other social programs through friendly, door-to-door and face-to-face contact. In short, promotoras provide a neighbor-helping-neighbor service connecting colonias residents with the myriad social services available through public and private sector organizations.
The academy, established in 2008, is part of CHUD’s Colonias Program, which implements solutions that reduce the isolation of the impoverished residents of the colonias developments along the Texas-Mexico border and helps them become full participants in the U.S. economy and society.
Colonias are impoverished, unincorporated and relatively undeveloped villages near population centers along the U.S. side of the U.S. Mexico border. Many homes in colonias lack basic necessities such as potable water, electricity and sewer systems.
The training academy is accepting applications for the 2009-10 academic year. For more information, call Flor Leal at CHUD’s Weslaco office at 956.447.9355.
- Posted: July 9, 2009 -
