XULA 2026 | 10.07.05 - Carmen Vélez-Vega

Описание: Abstract #10.07.05 — COMMUNITY MINI GRANTS RELATED TO SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH IN PUERTO RICO

Author(s) :: CM VELEZ VEGA; I Lafarga Previdi; A Guzzi Vasques; E Fernández Repollet

Author(s) Affiliation(s) :: Center for Collaborative Research in Health Disparities, UPR-Medical Sciences Campus (CMVV, ILP, AGV, EFR)

PURPOSE: The intention of this initiative is to support short-term strategies that promote better health outcomes in communities in Puerto Rico. To achieve this objective, projects aimed at supporting communities to implement strategies that positively impact on the health of its members are subsidized for one year.
METHODS: A proposal call and an application form was shared via email with local organizations. The evaluation criteria for the proposals were: 1. Relevance of the problem 2. Level of community involvement. 3. Anticipated impact of the project 4. Likelihood that the project will be sustainable. In order to evaluate the projects, the organization representatives are asked to submit two progress reports (six months and twelve into the implementation). The areas to evaluate were: activities, number of participants impacted, opportunities and challenges. We conduct recurring meetings to provide ongoing support.
RESULTS: For the first cycle 4 organizations were selected: Casa Juana Colón in Comerío (n=9), Mujeres de Islas in Culebra (n=79), Junta Comunitaria Río Piedras in San Juan (n=250) and Junta Innovadora Comunitaria in Ponce (n=210).For the second cycle 2 organizations were invited: Casa Juana Colón (n=18) and Mujeres de Islas (n=15). For the third cycle 3 organizations were selected: Alianza de Autismo in San Juan (n=28), Taller Comunitario La Goyco (n=72) in San Juan and Iglesia Presbiteriana in Añasco (n=433). Projects have ranged from needs assessment surveys, community health coordinator training to workshops related to masculinities, community mental health, artisanal skills to promote autonomy and social skills. Representatives from organizations expressed that the recurring meetings provided a space to share milestones, seek support and connect and network.
DISCUSSION: These community grants have allowed the Community Engagement Core to establish community-academic partnerships and support the communities so that they can adequately address the health challenges that affect the populations whom they serve.

Grant Support :: GRANT SUPPORT This project is supported by the Center for Collaborative Research in Health Disparities (CCRHD), which is funded by an RCMI-Grant from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (U54 MD007600) at the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus.

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