Connecticut River Valley Farmworker Health Program Wins National Award for Innovative Care in Vaccine Delivery

Award from Direct Relief and The Pfizer Foundation includes $249,893 to improve access to infectious disease care in the United States.

Boston – December 13, 2023 — The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers (Mass League) today announced it has received the Innovation Award in Community Health: Addressing Infectious Disease in Underserved Communities.

The Mass League’s Connecticut River Valley Farmworker Health Program (CRVFHP) was among 19 community health centers and free and charitable clinics in the U.S., which received the award from The Pfizer Foundation and Direct Relief. This award recognizes programs which are improving access to education and treatment for vaccine-preventable infectious diseases among medically underserved communities across the United States.

“Health equity can be achieved with the necessary investments and ingenuity, and Pfizer’s support recognizes the CRVFHP’s pioneering program that epitomizes transformative action,” said Michael Curry, Esq., President and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers. “CRVFHP is breaking down barriers and promoting health equity for underserved communities, serving as a beacon of innovation and compassion in addressing vaccine hesitancy and misinformation. Their work is a testament to the commitment and resilience of community health providers.”

The CRVFHP received $249,893 to support “Sowing Seeds of Good Health for Farmworkers and their Families,” a two-year program aimed at providing quality care to at-risk populations. Specifically, the CRVFHP will use the award grant to address vaccine hesitancy and misinformation through direct, targeted outreach that is culturally and linguistically appropriate – meeting farmworkers where they’re at, both literally and metaphorically – and increasing access by removing cultural, geographic, and financial obstacles to primary and preventive care.

“Sowing Seeds” takes a three-pronged approach to combatting misinformation and vaccine hesitancy and addressing vaccine inequity through raising awareness, providing health education, and increasing access to vaccination. Building upon existing relationships with area farms and health center partners, the Mass League will increase culturally, and linguistically appropriate outreach, education and engagement activities focused on COVID-19 vaccine and bivalent boosters, influenza, tetanus, Hepatitis B, and shingles (zoster). Local health centers will extend access to education, screening and vaccination for farmworkers and their families via mobile health, onsite field clinics and health center visits.

“As trusted members of their communities, safety-net providers play a crucial role in expanding access to care, particularly in medically underserved communities,” said Caroline Roan, President, The Pfizer Foundation and Chief Sustainability Officer, Pfizer Inc. “We are proud to continue supporting Direct Relief and its network of health centers, which are pioneering innovative approaches to infectious disease care and advancing health equity by dismantling barriers to better health.”

“These awardees already provide essential health services for their communities, and these funds, generously provided by The Pfizer Foundation, will enable even more innovative work to take place,” said Thomas Tighe, CEO and President of Direct Relief. “The dedication and commitment of these health providers, who work tirelessly, often with minimal recognition, is inspiring to all of us.”

For more information about the Innovations in Care Award winners, including project information and photos, please visit https://www.directrelief.org/2020/12/pfizer-support-infectious-disease-care/.

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About Connecticut River Valley Farmworker Health Program at the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers

Migratory and seasonal farmworkers are among the most vulnerable and marginalized populations in the U.S., yet their work is essential to feeding the nation and the world. The Connecticut River Valley Farmworker Health Program (“CRVFHP”), a 330g Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and an initiative of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers (Mass League), addresses structural barriers to health care for farmworkers and their families, providing primary health care services and community-based outreach through an innovative contracted services model with six health center partners with 25 locations across the Connecticut River Valley.

About Direct Relief  

A humanitarian organization committed to improving the health and lives of people affected by poverty and emergencies, Direct Relief delivers lifesaving medical resources throughout the U.S. and world to communities in need—without regard to politics, religion, or ability to pay. For more information, visit https://www.DirectRelief.org.