United Way partners with Vermont Language Justice Project and DVHA to increase access to vital health information
A new series of informational health insurance videos is now available in 7 languages thanks to a collaboration between the Vermont Language Justice Project, the Department of Vermont Health Access and United Way of Northwest Vermont’s Working Bridges and Common Good Vermont programs.
The informational videos are available in Dari, English, French, Nepali, Pashto, Swahili and Vietnamese. The videos explain how paying for health care in the United States works, offer an overview of different types of health insurance and how to understand health care bills and access support when needed.
(The seven languages were selected based on Working Bridges data showing these as the top primary languages of employees that sought assistance from a Resource Coordinator).
The full series of health insurance videos can be accessed here: http://bit.ly/VLJP22
Translated companion flyers with QR codes and URLs to each video are also available. Flyers are being distributed to display through workplace and community partners across Northwest Vermont.
United Way’s Working Bridges is an innovative workforce retention program that offers on-site resource coordination to partner employers to help their employees navigate life issues that impact their ability to work. Working Bridges regularly collaborates with the Vermont Language Justice Project, a program of CCTV focused on increasing language access as a strategy in health equity.
“We know that workplaces are diverse communities and language access is not readily available at every workplace. United Way’s Working Bridges is part of the Vermont Language Justice Taskforce network and through this new collaboration we are deepening our relationship. Our goal is to decrease barriers that employees experience as they navigate health insurance options and increase information sharing in diverse languages in workplaces,” said United Way Working Bridges Director Connie Beal.
In 2021, 23% of employees across the Working Bridges network reported coming from 29 countries other than the United States, Resource Coordinators helped employees that spoke 19 different primary languages other than English, and 35% of employees served identified as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) compared to 6% in Vermont overall.
Working Bridges will coordinate with employers in the network to disseminate the videos to employees across employers in Northwest Vermont, through monthly resource shares, company meetings, internal electronic platforms such as breakroom e-screens, and social media. Resource Coordinators will support employees to navigate health insurance options, applications, and education.
Common Good Vermont (CGVT) is the go-to organization for all of Vermont’s nonprofits to share resources, gain skills and build partnerships. CGVT is disseminating health insurance information across its statewide network of nonprofit employers.
“Through partnering with Vermont Language Justice Project and the Department of Vermont Health Access, United Way’s Working Bridges and Common Good Vermont are joining forces to increase health equity and health access for underinsured and uninsured workers, across private and nonprofit sectors,” said CGVT Director Morgan Webster.
Access The Videos Here:
WATCH
Download The Flyers Here:
DOWNLOAD 11X17 FLYER
More Resources:
Vermonters with general questions about health care resources and/or health insurance can dial 2-1-1 for information and referrals. For information about health insurance options available through Vermont’s health insurance marketplace, contact Vermont Health Connect at 1-855-899-9600 (TTY: 711) or visit www.healthconnect.vermont.gov. For help with health insurance problems, reach out to the Vermont Office of the Health Care Advocate’s helpline 1-800-917-7787.
