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Immunize Kansas Coalition and immunization partners are working to better identify, understand, and meet the diverse needs of communities in southwest Kansas. About 1 in 2 (48.8%) are Hispanic or Latino persons in the southwest region, with three of the largest counties averaging 57.8%. An IKC member and school nurse who lives in the region shared that over 30 languages are represented in the Finney County school system, the largest county in the southwest Kansas region. To better understand the barriers to vaccination within these counties, IKC’s Community Health Specialists, who are all bilingual in Spanish and English, have engaged in grassroots educational outreach.
IKC’s Community Health Specialists (CHS) have hosted many local events working to reach the diverse and multicultural communities within their regions. In Finney County, CHS, Yadira Soltero, has been working closely with a well-known food processing plant. At her most recent event, she was able to engage with over 1,000 employees, sharing about vaccines that are recommended for adults! In Grant County, CHS Lucy Watie, has partnered with the local library to educate parents and caregivers during their family enrichment time and incorporates vaccine information into her ELL (English Language Learner) class. She’s also seeking to respond to vaccine hesitancy within faith communities by working with spiritual leaders. To bridge the gap in access for older adults, Lucy has given presentations on immunizations at senior centers, and is working to hold adult vaccination clinics in the future. In Seward County, CHS, Patricia Torres has held many events including the education of dairy farmers at their workplace and reaching out to students during enrollment events. She’s also built connections with a local pharmacy in her community, breaking the barrier of providing vaccinations at her events! In each of these counties, Community Health Specialists have worked to create engaging and creative outreach events to connect with different communities, meeting their needs to keep them educated and protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.
IKC’s Community Health Specialists (CHS) have hosted many local events working to reach the diverse and multicultural communities within their regions. In Finney County, CHS, Yadira Soltero, has been working closely with a well-known food processing plant. At her most recent event, she was able to engage with over 1,000 employees, sharing about vaccines that are recommended for adults! In Grant County, CHS Lucy Watie, has partnered with the local library to educate parents and caregivers during their family enrichment time and incorporates vaccine information into her ELL (English Language Learner) class. She’s also seeking to respond to vaccine hesitancy within faith communities by working with spiritual leaders. To bridge the gap in access for older adults, Lucy has given presentations on immunizations at senior centers, and is working to hold adult vaccination clinics in the future. In Seward County, CHS, Patricia Torres has held many events including the education of dairy farmers at their workplace and reaching out to students during enrollment events. She’s also built connections with a local pharmacy in her community, breaking the barrier of providing vaccinations at her events! In each of these counties, Community Health Specialists have worked to create engaging and creative outreach events to connect with different communities, meeting their needs to keep them educated and protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Keep an eye on IKC’s Community Outreach page and social media for updates on the work their Community Health Specialists are doing across Kansas.