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National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA)

Grantee Information

National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA)
1215 19th Street Suite A
Denver, CO, 80202-1463
720-939-6494 (Phone)
www.naapimha.org Exit Disclaimer

The National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA) is a nonprofit organization committed to promoting the mental health and well-being of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. The long-term organizational goal of improved AANHPI health is achieved by addressing suicide prevention among youth, empowering mental health consumers and improving access to high quality affordable mental health services. NAAPIMHA collaborates with stakeholders in order to provide technical assistance and training to service providers on topics, such as cultural competency, language interpretation and clinical skills.

Grant Project Information

NAAPIMHA's Kokoro Kara Project
Length of Project: 9/1/12-8/31/15
Annual Funding Level: $150,000
Project Director: D.J. Ida
720-939-6494 (Phone)
E-mail: djida@naapimha.org

Abstract

The purpose of the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA) Kokoro Kara Project is to improve provider cultural competency and continuity of care for at risk AANHPIs. The project's intervention focuses on utilizing a peer educator model using Wellness Coaches (WCs), who are themselves mental health consumers and paraprofessionals from the community, to deliver culturally-tailored prevention strategies. The WCs will undergo training to address and inform their peers about helpful methods for reducing stress, improving diet and exercise regimes, maintaining appropriate medical routines and adopting self-management techniques. Furthermore, the project will engage the community to assess specific social determinants of health through a data driven outreach and health education campaign. The anticipated long-term outcome of this intervention is improved AANHIPI health, by expanding the workforce, both culturally and linguistically.

The primary project strategies involve:

  • Creating a prevention program, modeled after evidence-based resources, which utilizes trained WCs to provide culturally relevant health education and care;
  • Engaging the community in a data driven outreach and health education campaign; and
  • Facilitating improved communication between stakeholders.

The target population for this intervention includes AANHPI populations in California. After the first project year, it is anticipated that the intervention will be scaled up and replicated on a national level.

The project will use both qualitative and quantitative data to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. The project has identified process measures that align with particular intervention strategies/practices and anticipated outcomes. For example, the number or percentage of individuals who express increased awareness and knowledge of health disparities will be used to assess the effectiveness of implementing the WC training curricula. The anticipated outcome of this strategy is increased awareness of the significant health disparities of underserved AANHPIs and the actions necessary to improve these health outcomes.

Objectives

  • Increased awareness, education and outreach to address racial/ethnic minority health & health disparities problems
  • Improved access to, and appropriate utilization of, health & other community-based services and systems through user-centered design for racial/ethnic minorities (e.g., health IT, culturally/ linguistically appropriate services, service provider education/ training, workforce diversity)
1/30/2020 12:50:24 PM
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