| |
| The
Connecticut River Valley Farmworker Health Program (CRVFHP) is a unique valley-wide
project of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers that pays for some primary
health care services to qualified migrant and seasonal farmworkers. The program is
offered through participating health centers and other health care providers in
Connecticut and Massachusetts. map
of program sites |
| Outreach services |
| The
CRVFHP includes an outreach component adapted to the language and culture of the workers
which provides health education and disease prevention services to improve the quality of
life of the farmworker and his/her family. When necessary, the outreach
team provides transportation to medical appointments and makes
referrals to other social and health
services.
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 |

|
| What is the Connecticut River Valley
region? |
| The
Connecticut River Valley is the largest agricultural region in New England. Running north
to south along the Connecticut River, it extends from the Vermont border of Massachusetts
to the Long Island Sound. Farmworkers in the region
pick shade tobacco (used to wrap cigars), apples, other fruits and vegetables. Farmworkers
are also employed in nurseries and sod farms in both states. An estimated
12,000
migrant and seasonal farmworkers
and their dependents live within the Valley. |
| Who qualifies for payment of medical services? |
| Migrant
and seasonal farmworkers and their dependents who do not have health coverage are eligible
for medical payments under the CRVFHP while present in the Connecticut River Valley. A migrant farmworker is someone whose principal employment is
seasonal farmwork and who moves to temporary housing to seek farmwork. This includes
anyone who has been employed as a migrant farmworker within the last twenty-four (24)
months.
A seasonal farmworker is an individual whose employment
is in agriculture on a seasonal basis (as opposed to year-round employment) and who does
not establish a temporary home for the purposes of employment. This includes anyone who
has been employed as a seasonal farmworker for the last twenty-four (24) months.
Only migrant or seasonal farmworkers employed in the
direct farming of seasonal crops are eligible. Farm work means cultivating,
harvesting, or preparing seasonal crops for market or storage. |

|
 |
| Medical needs |
| Farmworkers
in the Connecticut River Valley suffer from many of the same health ailments as the
national farmworker population. Nationally, farmworkers may suffer from high rates of
diabetes, chronic hypertension and dental disease.
Occupational exposures to pesticides are a risk factor for many illnesses. Common
conditions include musculoskeletal problems, dermatitis and rashes, headaches, and eye
problems. |
| What medical services will the CRVFHP pay for? |
- Preventive care
- Outpatient physician visits
- Prescription medicines
- Outpatient mental health and substance abuse services
- Diagnostic laboratory and X-ray services
- Dental care
- Primary vision care
The farmworker may be asked to pay a co-payment for each
visit. However, services will not be denied because of inability to pay. |

|

|
| Is there a choice of health
care providers? |
| Yes.
There are many participating health centers and health care providers that provide quality
care and social services in the Connecticut River Valley. |
 |
 |
Participating Health Care Access Points |
Brightwood Health Center
380 Plainfield Street
Springfield, Massachusetts 01107
413-794-4458 |
Fair Haven Community Health Center
374 Grand Avenue
New Haven, Connecticut 06513
203-777-7411 |
Community
Health Center
5 North Main Street
Enfield, Connecticut 06082
860-253-9024 |
Generations Family Health Center
1315 Main Street
Willimantic, Connecticut 06226
860-450-7471 |
Community Health Center of Franklin County
338 Montague City Road
Turners Falls, Massachusetts 01376
413-772-3748 |
Hispanic Health Council, Inc.
175 Main Street
Hartford, Connecticut 06106
860-527-0856 |
Community Health Services,
Inc.
500 Albany Avenue
Hartford, Connecticut 06120
860-249-9625 |
Holyoke Health Center
230 Maple Street
P.O. Box 6260
Holyoke, Massachusetts 01040-6260
413-420-2139 |
East Hartford
Community HealthCare
94 Connecticut Blvd
East Hartford, Connecticut 06108
860-528-1359 |
|
How
do I contact the CRVFHP? |
Connecticut River Valley Farmworker Health Program
c/o Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers
40 Court Street, 10th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-426-2225
Fax: 617-426-0097
E-mail: massleague@massleague.org
Esta información está también disponible en
español.
The Connecticut River Valley Farmworker
Health Program is funded with a grant from the Bureau of Primary Health Care,
Health Resources and Services Administration.

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