CDU’ s COVID-19 TESTING SITE OFFERS TIMELY COMMUNITY SERVICES( continued)
Retrieved from LA Sentinel June 4, 2020
Success of the CDU COVID-19 site is heavily dependent on the efforts of numerous committed volunteers.
The team went to work to bridge the concerns. Offering bilingual communication, and assurances that the testing was free, word quickly got around that CDU was a place of hope rather than one more obstacle. At the site managers’ direction, a welcoming spirit emerged. Strategically placed signage in Spanish and English conveys an affirmative, loving message.
Signs celebrating Easter and Mother’ s Day were visible on those respective occasions. Additional signs featuring a spirit of peace and inspiration put clients at ease.“ These signs give people a sense of encouragement and the feeling that we care about them,” noted Dr. Young.
Besides the recommendation of self-quarantine accompanying a positive test, people with symptoms are referred to MLK Urgent Care across the street from the testing site. Clients needing other types of health treatment can receive a referral to the MLK Community Hospital Outpatient Clinic. Clients needing mental health treatment are referred to the Los Angeles County Mental Health Department ACCESS hotline. The byproduct of COVAD-19 testing offers one more tool to identify and treat local healthcare disparities.
Contact referrals to DPSS and the MLK social service department are accompanied by a few basic qualifying questions, including whether the affected person has housing, and whether they can isolate themselves. Their employment status is important because lack of financial resources is high on the health care disparities spectrum.
According to Dr. Vargas, continually connecting with residents, community leaders, and business owners offers key insight. Family living settings are often tight-knit and multi-generational. Ensuring that the local response to the pandemic acknowledges social justice concerns is critical.
He also stated that the University’ s grant seeking efforts have already yielded funding opportunities to develop a pilot program with universities and medical teams across the country. Dr. Young is planning a community education and advocacy component to train residents to participate as interns in ongoing outreach.
CDU COLLEGE OF MEDICINE | PG. 06