Executive Summary

Vecinos, which means ‘neighbors’, was conceived in 2004 to support a Latinx population that quadrupled since 2000 to about 7,921 residents today in the six primary counties served. Most staff and leadership are Latinx or of the farmworker community. This fosters respect and investment in patient care, promoting problem-solving outside the traditional medical mold. For instance, during the agricultural season, farmworkers may work from sunup until 9:00 pm, so Vecinos’ services are created to be convenient to when and where patients need them.

These settings include the only **mobile clinics** of their kind in the region, providing bilingual exam rooms at Appalachian migrant farmworker camps and elsewhere; **an outpatient clinic **in Cullowhee, NC; **telehealth **services, including mental health visits; and **patient homes, **through extensive outreach and case management to address chronic diseases and other medical needs**.** Preventative care includes health education, provision of immunizations, and collaborative care planning with patients.

Community Health Workers provide Spanish interpretation, transportation, health education, and individualized care plans, often at patient homes. They address social determinants of health through referrals to food banks; work through financial aid applications from hospitals; and empower patients in overcoming barriers to healthcare.

In 2021, Vecinos responded to area need by transitioning from its exclusively farmworker focus to serve any uninsured adult community member at/or below 200% of FPL. Vecinos is on track to open a 16,000 sq. ft. Community Health Hub in Franklin, NC, with four collaborating organizations that will provide bilingual dental, legal, domestic violence, and social services.

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