Outreach in urban clinics

Abstract

Outreach services were initially conceived as important elements of neighborhood health centers, but they have not been shown to be effective in outcome evaluations. This study examines the outreach programs in 11 community clinics in Seattle. Interviews were conducted with the program directors and outreach workers of these clinics. Outreach programs have failed to provide an adequate number of jobs and career opportunities for the poor. Workers have not been carefully selected and trained, and goals and objectives of the program have been vague. Unstable funding of outreach has affected the quality as well as the size of the programs. Reasons for the inadequate implementation of the concept of outreach are discussed, and suggestions are made for future programs.

New Careers Model Revisited: The Importance of Mentoring

“…The sample of outreach workers consisted of 4 Latinos ( 1 woman and 3 men), 2 White men, and 1 Black woman. The larger number of men is unusual when compared with earlier community health projects, which primarily hired female outreach workers (Rivara, 1980). In terms of age, the Latinos were mostly in their mid-20s.…”

“…The expectation has been that federal funding of the current AIDS prevention initiatives would be short-term. Arguably, these projects fit the criteria of the New Careers model (New & Hessler, 1972;Rivara, 1980;Smith, 1973).…”

“…for meaningful career advancement (New & Hessler, 1972;Rivara, 1980; also see Hessler & Griffard, 1976). The limited duration of grants usually resulted in hiring and training outreach workers to accomplish the immediate, limited objectives required by granting agencies for the project.…”