The Bay Point African American Health Conductors Project (HCP)

The Bay Point African American Health Conductors Project (HCP) is "a call to action" to the community and the county health care system to address the glaring health disparities in the African American Community. HCP was created to overcome the historical mistrust this community feels for institutions - including the health department - that prevents them from accessing programs and services. The project draws from the Bay Area Critical Mass Health Conductors Initiative, which was inspired by the work of Harriet Tubman to free the slaves. HCP incorporates the Bay Area Initiative's philosophy of using the power of personal commitment and transformation to help African Americans achieve health and wellness. Taking the personal transformation further, the HCP creates a means to channel the energy of the individual person to bring about change in others and to influence the health care system itself. HCP is a partnership between CCHS and the Center for Human Development.

The Health Conductors Project sets forth an approach that highlights the importance and relevance of culture, history, and collective and personal responsibility for one's own health, spirit, body and soul. Ordinary community residents are recruited and trained to become "conductors" who act as cultural brokers and guides for their fellow community members. These brokers not only teach community residents about how to access the health care delivery system. They also provide a cultural context for the health department to understand how African Americans experience our delivery system, and teach us about how to respond more effectively to their culture, values and life experiences. By creating a bridge between Health Services and community members project staff are uniquely positioned to advocate for health system improvements that will reduce health disparities.
[ See Logic Model (PDF, 1p.) ]

Content provided by the Public Health Division of Contra Costa Health Services.