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Track 3-3
Community
Community Concerns and Expertise
A Health Plan's Community Advisory
Committee
As part the California Department of Health Services' contract,
health plans participating in the two-plan Medicaid managed care models
are required to "implement and maintain community linkages through the
formation of a Community Advisory Committee." The Alameda Alliance for
Health (Alliance) began its Community Advisory Committee in June, 1997,
with the goals of working in partnership with community representatives
to:
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assess and prioritize the needs of our members and
providers to develop appropriate programs;
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establish a forum where community members can provide
input regarding the Alliance's cultural and linguistic
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services; and
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provide technical assistance to the Alliance, when
appropriate.
These goals have been established to ensure and improve
access and services for the culturally diverse populations in Medi-Cal
and managed care. The Alliance's Community Advisory Committee consists
of representatives from community based organizations, advocacy groups,
and providers who represent the diverse ethnic communities in Alameda
County. The group meets quarterly for about two hours. The Alliance relies
on the expertise of the committee participants to guide some of the programs
that have been developed. Below are examples of the projects the committee
has provided input on:
While the Alliance greatly benefits from the committee's
contributions, Community Advisory Committee participants have also begun
to look to the Alliance as a source of information and a bridge in negotiating
and improving California's managed care system.
Ellen Wu, MPH
Director, Health Education and Cultural/Linguistic Services
Alameda Alliance for Health
1850 Fairway Drive
Phone: (510) 895-4579
FAX: (510) 483-6038
ellenwu@alameda-allliance.com
www.alameda-alliance.com
Ellen Wu has been the Director of Health Education
and Cultural/Linguistic Services at the Alameda Alliance for Health since
the health plan began operations in January, 1996. Her responsibilities
include the development of health education, cultural and linguistic,
and outreach programs. She coordinates with other departments to ensure
health plan services and materials are culturally and linguistically appropriate
for members such as translating key member materials, providing interpreter
services, and conducting provider trainings on how to effectively utilize
medical interpreters. She is Vice-Chair for the California Department
of Health Services' Cultural and Linguistic Standards Task Force. Prior
to her work at the Alliance, she managed and trained health care providers
on Cross-Cultural Communication Skills for a project with the Northern
California Cancer Center. NEXT >
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