Health policy and program development, research, and evaluation
UC Merced Farmworker Health Study
See the results of the recently completed Farmworker Health Study by UC Merced. The multi-lingual survey of over 1100 farmworkers studied health access and utilization, women’s health, workplace condition, COVID experiences and demographics of California’s farmworker population. Diringer and Associates worked with UC Merced to receive legislative funding, design the survey and analyze its results. Funded by the California Department of Public Health, the data dashboard contains the preliminary findings. Written reports and dissemination are forthcoming.
A followup study, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is examining the policy options for increasing farmworker health coverage through Medi-Cal (Medicaid) and other coverage. The project is being jointly with Diringer and Associates, UC Merced, California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation and Insure the Uninsured Project, along with community farmworker advocates and stakeholders.
San Luis Obispo County Migrant Indigenous Community Survey (SLOMICS). Diringer and Associates has assembled a team of community, indigenous and expert researchers to conduct an enumeration and community census for of the indigenous migrant population in the San Luis Obispo County. Funded by the SLO County Department of Public Health, the study produce information that allows San Luis Obispo County public officials, service providers, policy and program designers and migrant advocates to better fulfill their missions to address migrant and resident needs. See a project summary here.
SLO County UndocuSupport
Our new program provides assistance to immigrant families who were excluded from federal COVID-19 relief. Our efforts have garnered over $200,000 to support San Luis Obispo County immigrant families.
See the articles in New Times, San Luis Obispo Tribune and the Atascadero News. Please donate by going to SLO County UndocuSupport web page
In the News
Rural Justice Magazine: Alumni Spotlight: Joel Diringer (California Rural Legal Assistance, Summer 2022. Read an interview with Joel Diringer on his years with CRLA in San Luis Obispo.
NONPROFIT ACTIVISM 101 ECOLOGISTICS PODCAST. Listen to Joel Diringer discuss what type of political activism can nonprofit organizations engage in without getting in trouble with the IRS?
CNN Health: Fear could stop the coronavirus vaccine from reaching some of the people who need it most. Read the CNN Health article: As vaccine distribution ramps up across the United States, advocates and public health experts are warning that more steps must be taken to make sure millions of undocumented immigrants have access to vaccines — and aren’t too scared to sign up.
“There’s fear and then there’s also logistical barriers,” says Joel Diringer, a consultant for the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation who has been pushing for California officials to do more to prioritize farmworkers in that state’s vaccine response.
Farmworkers should be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccine, coalition of advocacy groups says. Read the article in the Desert Sun and see the policy brief prepared for COVID-19 Farmworker and Rural Immigrant Community Advocacy Coalition, on why farmworkers and their communities should be a priority population in the state’s Vaccination Plan.
KVEC Dave Congalton Hometown Radio February 13, 2019 (Part 2). Local radio call-in show on ACA and health care. Click here for podcast.
KCBX Central Coast Voices February 7, 2019 show on oral health in San Luis Obispo County. Click here to listen.
New York Times Reports on Poverty and Malnutrition of California Farmworkers:
UC Davis Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety blog post features are recent talk by Joel Diringer on the future of health coverage for California farmworkers. A copy of the slides can be accessed here.