Education & Empowerment for Migrant Seasonal Agriculture Workers in Wisconsin

Providing COVID-19 guidance to agricultural workers and their employers

Full Project Name:Education & Empowerment for Wisconsin Migrant Seasonal Agriculture WorkersPrimary Community Organization:Family Health La ClinicaAward Amount:$322,420.00

Award Date

April2020

Project Duration:9 months

Project Description Narrative:

The agricultural sector has a more than $100 billion economic impact in Wisconsin annually. Critical to that economic contribution are migrant and seasonal agricultural workers, who often live and work in close proximity to each other, have little access to primary health care, and struggle to access care without insurance coverage or stay home from work without sick pay. The global COVID-19 pandemic has shown that the new coronavirus spreads easily in settings with many people working and/or living in close proximity, which poses a concern for individuals in this sector.

Through this award, project partners will support the health of migrant and seasonal agricultural workers and their employers in Wisconsin through the development of education, resources, and guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional community partners: UMOS, Legal Action of Wisconsin, Seneca Foods Corporation, Lakeside Foods Corporation, Wisconsin Farmworker's Coalition

Outcomes & Lessons Learned:

Rapidly formed and sustained coalition of partners that included representation from critical stakeholders and partners, including UMOS, Legal Action of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association, State of Wisconsin Emergency Operations Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, and University of Wisconsin working alongside five county public health departments and six federal agencies
Developed guiding documents and best practices for employers, worksites, and housing sites that included education and screening activities and pre-arrival housing and workplace assessment guides
Completed 309 testing and education missions at 55 employer work and housing sites in 24 Wisconsin counties
Provided 3,543 workers with COVID-19 information and registered all to facilitate follow-up support
Built foundation of a program that has expanded to support employers, employees, and communities in the Wisconsin dairy industry
Awarded 2021 Wisconsin Public Health Association “Excellence in Public Health Research Award”