Hi, Erin-

You have already gotten some good suggestions.  I just wanted to add some ideas.

1. A card with their health information/clinic contact info- This could be a little wallet-sized card that contains some pertinent info like phone numbers (we put local resources and phone numbers to encourage them to keep them) and it could serve several purposes.  It could give them some essential info, blood pressure, blood sugar, height, weight, etc. which would come in handy for them since many people don’t know this information off-hand.  It would also allow clinic staff to document the name and number used so that they are sure to continue to use the same one.  It has been my experience that sometimes people get a different number each time they enter the states and are concerned to use the old one.  If you/someone could assure them that this is for health identification only, they might be willing to use the same number.
2. Photo IDs based on some status- they could be issued to patients or they could be issued based on where they work.  They are not difficult or expensive to make. We have made photo IDs for people in our community that are associated with our project.  They are not official, of course, but they are certainly useful.

I can send you the template for the cards/IDs we’ve made if you’re interested.  Please feel free to contact me.

Have a great day!

Holly

-----Original Message-----
From: Erin Sologaistoa [mailto:erin@...]
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2004 5:38 PM
To: migrant_health_research@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [migrant_health_research] How to deal with multiple names and social security numbers and photo IDs

I'm looking for successful ways CHCs have addressed the problems that arise when farmworkers provide different names and social security numbers on different visits to the health center.

Some non-FQHCs in this region are requiring farmworkers to provide a photo ID as a way of dealing with this problem. I'm bringing to their attention the fact that  this is creating a major barrier since they undocumented workers cannot obtain a driver's license or state identification, at least not in Florida. However, I'd also like to know of creative ways communities have found to issue photo identification cards for undocumented farmworkers which could help reduce a number of different barriers they face.

Thanks, Erin

Erin Kay Sologaistoa, M.S.
Southeast Migrant Health Coordinator
Florida Association of Community Health Centers (FACHC)
433 North Magnolia Drive
Tallahassee, Florida 32308
Office (850) 942-1822 Ext. 208
Fax (850) 942-9902
Cell (850) 519-1190

To Post a message, send it to:   migrant_health_research@yahooGroups.com

To Unsubscribe, send a blank message to: migrant_health_research-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com