Home of the Spanish-Speaking Women’s Cancer Initiative.
The Latino Cancer Collaborative of Contra Costa County was born out of the collaborative work of five community-based agencies and the public health department to reduce cancer inequities in the Latino community. Since 2002, the American Cancer Society, La Clinica de La Raza, Hospice of the East By, The Wellness Community, Women’s Cancer Resource Center and Contra Costa Health Services Patient Navigator Program have worked together to overcome barriers to early detection and cancer-related services for underserved Latinos, particularly women, in Contra Costa County.
The collaborative strategies of the Spanish Speaking Women’s Cancer Initiative (SSWCI) were developed in response to problems Latinas living in Central and near East Contra Costa County experienced in learning about and accessing cancer-related healthcare services. By brining together essential partners, SSWCI delivers a continuum of culturally and linguistically appropriate care and changed how cancer education, screening, diagnostics and treatment services are provided for Latino women in Contra Costa County. Video
The John Muir Mt. Diablo Community Health Fund and The California Endowment provided initial funding for the SSWCI from 2001-2004. In September 2004, the collaborative received a three-year grant from the federal Office of Minority Health (OMH) as part of their Community Programs to Improve Minority Health funding.Additional funding (2005-2009) came from the San Francisco Foundation to support social marketing strategies, patient support and evaluation. Safeway Foundation provided additional funds to support social marketing. In September 2007, SSWCI received an additional three years of funding from OMH. Other community funders have supported expanded case management services including Kaiser Permanente and the Mt. Diablo Health Care District. Avon Foundation supported breast cancer education, patient navigation and case management for Latinas with cancer form 2004-2008.
In 2007, building on the success of SSWCI, the partners developed a strategic plan – through LC4 – to expand the coalition, increase outreach to include Latino men, and reach more communities throughout the county. All services and outreach are provided in Spanish by bicultural staff and community members.
Funding for the Latino Cancer collaborative has focused on the Spanish Speaking Women’s Cancer Initiative. The work of SSWCI is currently supported by:
The Office of Minority Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
San Francisco Foundation
Kaiser Permanente
Mt. Diablo Health Care District
Safeway Foundation
Funders supporting SSWCI since its inception include:
John Muir Mt. Diablo Community Health Fund
The California Endowment
Avon Foundation