Promotores de Salud Mental
Implementation Overview
A partnership between a Community Based
Organization, El Sol Neighborhood
Educational Center, and Riverside County,
Department of Mental Health
Presenters

Alexander Fajardo, Executive Director
El Sol Neighborhood Education Center

Myriam Aragon, LFMT Program Manager
Riverside County Department of Mental Health
Cultural Competency/ Recovery Learning Center
Presentation Objectives
1.
2.
3.
4.
Introduction to Promotores Model
Implementation Process and Lessons
learn
Measurement of effectiveness of the
program
Next steps
Goals of the Mental Health
Promotores Model in Riverside
1.
2.
3.
Increase knoledge about mental health
and mental illness among the Latino
Community.
Reduce stigma about mental illness
Linkage of individual in need of mental
health services to appropite cultural and
linguistic services.
Keeping the philosophy of Promotores
Model
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Promotores de salud (health promoters) play a
key role in advancing the well-being of the
communities they serve.
Promotores are individuals who provide their
services in their communities.
Through their work, promotores become familiar
with challenges faced by the Latino families and
individuals in their communities.
promotores often have to find ways to support
people struggling with a wide range of difficulties
in their lives.
History

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Community members have been used as natural health
support by various cultures around the world. They are
turned to for health and healing advice.
Community members have taken health care programs to
rural populations and addressed issues such as: Nutrition,
Immunizations, and Sanitation.
The model of Community members as advocates and
educators has documented presence in the US since 1968,
but Promotores have existed in other nations for centuries.
Characteristics of a Promotor
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Lives in the community.
Speaks the same language as the community.
Understands “Familiarismo” and “Personalismo”.
Posses leadership and advocacy skills.
Has existing social networks.
Willingness to learn.
No personal interest, for personal gain.
Is an agent of change.
Is sensitive to social cultural aspects of the acculturation
process.
Community Participation and Decision Making
regarding Prevention & Early Intervention (PEI)

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Community Focus Groups
Cultural Competency Advisory CommitteeSpanish Speaking Consumers/Family Members
Sub committee.
Identification of PEI funds for the implementation
On going community participation in the
implementation and evaluation of the program
Mental Health Transformation: Building
Partnerships
Riverside County
Department of
Mental Health
“Government”
COMMUNTY
Community
Based
Organization
“Promotores”
“El Sol”
Development & Implementation
Process
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Community Advisory Group
Promotores Training Curriculum
Recruitment of Promotores
Train Promotores Program
Promotores Retention
Promotores Activities
Outcomes

2010-2011

2011-2012
Future of Promotores Program
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Maintaining an ongoing Promotores de Salud
group.
Development of Specialist Promotores Programs
to respond to health and social issues in the
community.
Provide academic training and certification for
promotores; a partnership with Loma Linda
University.
Expand Promotores Program to multi-cultural
diverse communities.
Building Community Based Organizations Mental
Health Promotion
Where we are today…
Thank you.
QUESTIONS?