Piloted in 1993, the promotoras program takes an aggressive, nontraditional, grassroots approach to providing health and family planning information and resources to migrant workers and low-income Latinos.

Peer Training

The promotoras program comprises a community-based group of volunteer peer outreach workers chosen for their leadership potential. They serve women and men from their own neighborhoods and with whom they have close ties. This is the foundation of the program. Each Promotor/a begins training with a 6-week, 40-hour course. Topics include:

• Basic female and male anatomy/physiology
• Birth control
• The prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS
• Menstruation and fertilization
• Abortion
• Health screening, including cancer prevention self-exams(female&male)
• How to access community health and social services
• CPR and first aid (certificate program)
• Leadership skills

Pre/post tests are given to determine each Promotor's/Promotora's grasp of the material. They also participate in ongoing monthly training sessions, during which discussions occur regarding their day-to-day outreach efforts. Each Promotor/a is given a manual, birth control kit, and over-the-counter contraceptives for disbursement. Around-the-clock support from Planned Parenthood Health Educators is also provided.

Different Approaches, Same Result

We approach the male and female populations from slightly different perspectives. Promotoras offer small, in-home classes of 5 to 15 women (and/or men), while promotoras work one-on-one with men. They also do "Educational Outreach" 3 times a week with the supervision of a Health Educator. This is on-site classes on reproductive health while recruiting for our clinic services. The men receive more extensive information regarding the identification, prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Each approach allows for personal interaction and comfort.

To encourage access to health services, promotoras/as distribute tokens that can be redeemed for incentive gifts at Planned Parenthood clinics. We also provide transportation to and from the clinic. Childcare is also available if necessary.

The training and experience of helping others instill promotoras/as with new levels of self-esteem; increased awareness about domestic violence, alcohol and substance abuse and better family communication skills. For those parents that express communication problems with their teens, we offer parent communication classes also.

We have a great Youth promotoras Program mirrored by the adult Program. They give classes to their peers here at our office location. The kids have a Theater named "Realidades". They perform bilingual dramas and skits in different communities and local Health Fairs.

Drawn from disadvantaged communities, it is important to recognize the financial realities promotoras/as often face; therefore they are given a stipend for out-of-pocket expenses such as transportation and childcare.