Bilingual Case Management
Servicios Bilingues de Manejo de Casos
AIDS Community Resources esta comprometida a ayudar individuos que viven con el virus del VIH y SIDA, sus familias, sus seres queridos y amigos. Trabajando por y con usted para identificar sus necesidades. El dedicado equipo de trabajdores de ACR proveera continuo apoyo facilitando acceso a los servicios que son específicos para usted, tales como: Cuidado de la Salud, Beneficios del gobierno, Seguro Médico, asistencia de Vivienda, Transporte, Tratamiento de Adherencia y apoyo para el SIDA, referidos a Consejería y Salud mental, a Consejería de apoyo para Recuperación de la Adicción, y apoyo social.
El equipo bilingue de ACR es altamente conocedor en todas las áreas para la adquisición de cuidado. Con compasión y sensibilidad, ellos trabajarán con usted, y su familia a identificar sus necesidades, dirigiéndolo a obtener servicios que usted necesita.
ACR ofrece servicios sin costo y completamente confidenciales.
Para más información: Supportservices@aidscommunityresources.com
Martha Rodriguez is a Case Manager. Noemi De La Cruz is a Case Management Technician. Together they advocate, support, and help remove hurdles for Spanish speaking consumers of AIDS Community Resources.
MARTHA: The language barrier is huge. I have experienced many instances where a consumer needs assistance to communicate with a psychiatrist, mental health counselor or physician, the consumer does not speak English and I must be there to interpret. I realize that there is not enough privacy for the consumer, but the hospitals have not enough bilingual/bicultural health and mental health professionals and the consumers wants me there to help.
NOEMI: Bilingual case management is important since the highest rate of new infections is in the communities of color - African-Americans and Latinos. Some Latinos are more comfortable speaking in Spanish even if they do understand English. When they are given the option to speak in either language and still be completely understood, it brings them to a new comfort level.
MARTHA: Most of the time I wear many hats. I provide support and advocacy for all my consumers; I assist monolingual consumers in translating and interpreting services as needed. My clients and I develop a service plan based on their own needs and when they follow the plan it makes a big difference in their lives.
NOEMI: We help our consumers find the route to the solution to their needs. For example if the client does not have income we help them apply for public assistance and/or social security and advocate to help them get approved for these benefits.
MARTHA: The Latino community is growing as well as their needs and as Service Providers we need to be more sensitive to diversity. I question the lack of support that the non-English speaking community faces. It is my hope that Service Providers acknowledge the need for more bilingual/bicultural professionals to assist our community at large.
NOEMI: It's very difficult since after receiving an HIV+ diagnosis many people have trouble dealing with their changed circumstances. It's hard to find support if they cannot speak the same language. It's hard to communicate that they are having issues dealing with the diagnosis if there is a language barrier.
MARTHA: I have been in situations where the consumer is unable to communicate with physicians. When you are in a country that is not yours with a different culture, an unknown language, and so sick that it is difficult to think about what is wrong, where do you start with a doctor? As their Case Manager I become their voices and inform their physicians what is wrong.
NOEMI: I like being a source of support for the clients. Many of our clients do not have a support system at home and they look to us to help them. For most people we are the bright lights at the end of a dark tunnel.
MARTHA: It is difficult to say why I love to help people, but being Latina, bilingual and having good people skills it is my duty to make a difference helping our community members in need.