Conneticut's Hispanic Health Council continues

The Hispanic Health Council
By Jeannette B. DeJesus, Hartford Business, 04/27/09

Mission: The mission of the Hispanic Health Council is to improve the health and social well-being of Latinos and other diverse communities.

Background: The Hispanic Health Council was created in 1978 after the tragic death of a Puerto Rican baby in Hartford pointed up dangerous gaps in health care access for the city’s burgeoning population of Latino migrants and immigrants.

The council began as a research organization but gradually began providing direct services when it became obvious that evidence-based solutions were not available elsewhere. Over the years, the council has provided state-of-the-science programs in community nutrition, substance-abuse prevention, reproductive, maternal and children’s health, parenting, youth services and HIV/AIDS.

The council’s nutrition education programs now reach thousands of children each year through the public schools in Hartford and Bridgeport. One-on-one support is provided for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and people with diabetes, to name a few.

Recently, the Hispanic Health Council expanded its mission to include policy advocacy when its leadership realized that while helping individuals is vital, changing the system is often necessary to provide long-term improvements to well-being and quality of life. In 2006, the council added a Latino Policy Institute to fulfill its mission of eliminating health disparities and ensuring high-quality health care for everybody. The council relies on state, federal and foundation grants for almost all of its funding, although individual and corporate donations would be welcome.

Major Fundraiser: None at the moment.

Volunteer Needs: Consult www.hispanichealth.com for a complete list of support opportunities.

Leadership:
Jeannette B. DeJesus, president and CEO;
Rebecca Grady, chief administrative officer;
Grace Damio, director of the Center for Women’s and Children’s Health;
Hilary Waldman, director of communications;
Dominick Cristofaro, board president;

Board Members: Catherine Medina, Gualberto Ruano, Ilia Castro, Jill Davies, Katherine McCormack, Laura Victoria Barrera, Nancy Martone, Rene Rodriguez.

Contact Information:
The Hispanic Health Council
175 Main St.
Hartford, CT 06106
(860) 527-0856, ext. 310

www.hispanichealth.com