Work and Health
Community Groups Address Diverse Issues Related to Employment and Health
  mall community groups are struggling to help low-wage workers and the unemployed who are at risk for mental and physical health problems.
“If a person gets a job but has health issues that haven’t been addressed, that person may have a hard time staying employed, consequently putting his or her health at even greater risk,” said Lucia Corral Peña, TCWF program director.
TCWF provided a two-year, $100,000 grant to The San Diego Foundation (TSDF) to provide
funding to community-based organizations providing various forms of employment and health assistance. In August, funds were awarded to the Migrant Health Outreach Project in Vista, the San Diego YMCA Child Care Resource Service, and San Diego City College.
“This opportunity to work together is very encouraging and is providing benefits to students, child care providers and farmworkers, as well as to The California Wellness Foundation and The San Diego Foundation,” said Walt Sandford, TSDF’s director of health and human services.
  The Migrant Health Outreach Project has targeted eight farmworker sites at which workers are receiving health, employment and immigration assessments, as well as referrals, when necessary, to North County Health Services.
The YMCA Child Care Resource Service has added to its staff a bilingual behavioral health specialist who provides guidance to child care workers on how to handle behavioral issues that arise with the children of the low-income families they serve. In addition to
supplying a much-needed resource for low-wage child care workers, the Resource Service is building the YMCA’s capacity to provide bilingual services
to low-income families.
To address the critical shortage of qualified nurses in low-income communities, the grant to San Diego City College helps 10 students in the licensed vocational nursing program prepare for a two-year registered nursing program. The funding allows students to purchase books, uniforms and equipment to pursue their studies.
TSDF is also taking advantage of the partnership with TCWF to educate its staff and board and other local funders about the connections between work and health. TCWF’s Corral Peña anticipates hosting a meeting of TSDF and the community service providers at the end of the grant period to allow them to share information, results and experiences.
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