A physical location for the International Health Professional Bridge Center has not yet been identified.
History
Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) were established nationally in 1971 by federal legislation as part of the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) "Comprehensive Health Manpower Training Act" to improve primary health care in underserved areas of the United States. In Connecticut, Central AHEC was initially conceived in 1976 as the Hartford Health Centers Consortium when five neighborhood health centers worked together to address the health care needs of Hartford's medically under-served residents. In 2000, this Consortium became the Central Area Health Education Center, Inc.
The Central Area Health Education Center, Inc. (CAHEC) is a private, non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization which is headquartered at 2 Holcomb Street (5th Floor) in Hartford, Connecticut. The geographic areas served by CAHEC consist of three counties, Hartford, Tolland, and Middlesex, and the towns of Meriden and Wallingford. The map below shows the area of Connecticut served by CAHEC.
Central AHEC is part of the statewide Connecticut AHEC program located in Farmington, CT at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. There are three additional centers located in Jewett City, Bridgeport and Waterbury. Connecticut is part of the National AHEC Program (NAO) covering 48 states.
Our Mission Statement is:
“to eliminate health disparities among diverse populations of Central CT by providing and coordinating programs that improve the health status of all.”
Central AHEC, Inc. and its mission are committed to seeking alternatives and opportunities to address health disparities in the Greater Hartford region and have specifically identified a comprehensive educational International Health Professional Bridge Initiative. This initiative will address many of the racial and cultural issues because of health care provider shortages and the growing needs of the rapidly changing demographics and disparate treatment for Connecticut’s Spanish speaking residents.
Working Vision Statement
Shape Connecticut's health care system so that underserved, culturally diverse populations will experience better health outcomes.
Working Mission Statement
To build a bridge between qualified, internationally trained health care professionals and linguistically and culturally competent health care services for Connecticut's diverse, underserved communities.
Central Area Health Education Center, Inc. developed an educational bridge program that will reach the following goals:
- Increase the quantity of diverse health care professionals in Connecticut
- Increase institutions cultural and linguistic competence in health care delivery
- Increase knowledge, attitude and behaviors regarding foreign trained health professionals
- Increase access to, for consumers in linguistic isolation, and response of the health care delivery system
- Decrease the impact of language barriers on quality of health care delivered
- Increase the level of respect and committment to inclusion of foregin trained health professionals
The Foreign Trained Health Professional Bridge Initiative, with support from community collaborators and funders, will provide the following services and opportunities:
- Counseling support - All participants will receive academic counseling and ongoing support to assist them in achieving their licensing goals.
- Referrals to educational and financial support - Participants will be linked to various colleges and universities, including financial aid offices
- Country of origin credentialling services - Diplomas, certifications, licenses, and other official documents will be obtained from the participant's country of origin and will undergo a thorough evaluation.
- Individualized case management - All participants will be assessed on a case by case basis to implement and coordinate their individualized career pathway.
- References to English as a Second Language (ESL) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) programs - Participants will be linked to ESL programs that are provided at local libraries and other agencies.
- Mentoring by health professionals - Already licensed, knowledgeable health professionals will guide participants in the exam preparation and provide support and advice during the licensing process.
- Study/support peer groups - Participants will be placed in study groups according to profession for ongoing support and guidance from their peers.
- Individualized tailoring of 7 pathways for health professional licensing in Connecticut - Each participant will be provided with a specific licensing pathway according to the profession they wish to pursue.
- Referrals to job opportunities upon completion - There will be many professional resources available for all participants. This will include referrals to a window of job opportunities available upon successful completion of the program.
A Needs Assessment conducted by AHEC programs focused on medical interpretation services (247 health care agencies responded). Of the topic languages spoken by patient populations:
167 agencies provide health care to Spanish speaking populations
68 Italian
79 Polish
54 Portuguese
65 Chinese
