Transcript St.Vincent Health Poverty Experience

9 TH
Presentation to the
Annual IRHA Public Policy Forum
January 17, 2012
Afia Griffith, MPA, MA
St.Vincent Health
Community Development
 46.2 million Americans living in poverty (2010 US Census)
 16.3% of Hoosier’s living in poverty (2010 US Census)
 “1 in 3 Americans is either poor or perilously close to it” NY
Times opinion article The Poor, the Near Poor and You
 1 in 3 working families in the US despite working hard are
struggling to meet basic needs. The Working Poor Families Project
supported by Annie E. Casey, Ford, Joyce and Mott foundations
 St.Vincent Health sponsored by Ascension Health
 20 health ministries across Central and Southern
Indiana
 Care of persons living in poverty and the vulnerable
 Over 9 years of simulations through our local
St.Vincent Hospitals and Community Development
department for community coalitions, nonprofit
organization boards, university students, and other
associations and conferences.
 ROWEL Reformed Organization for Welfare
Education Association, a Missouri organization of
people with low incomes and their allies working
together to inform the larger community about the
inadequacies and injustices of the welfare system.
 Requires 30-75 participants
 26 families with different profiles
 17 volunteers
 Large room for vendor tables on the perimeter and
families in the center
 Approximately 3 hours
 Persons in position of influence who make decisions
direct and indirect impact on persons living with low
income
 Legislators, government workers, community leaders,
attorneys, educators, social service workers, healthcare
workers…
Imitate real life
2. Altered by the user
1.
 On-line simulations and in-person simulations
 Transportation Pass symbolic for gas, walking, taking
the bus
 Various responses to overwhelming circumstances
similar conclusions
 The 6 D’s
 Situational/Generational Poverty
 Hidden Rules of class
 Resources – mental, emotional, financial, spiritual,
physical
 St.Vincent Poverty Experience at an economic vision
conference
 St.Vincent Randolph Hospital Community Health
Needs Assessment
 Community Priority – Addressing Poverty
 RC EPIC - Randolph County Ending Poverty in the
Community
 Afia Griffith, St.Vincent Health Community Development
 [email protected]
 317-338-8459