Community Health
Health Literacy Project
(“Lifting All Voices”)
The goal of this program is to offer COVID-19 information in a variety of languages that is easily accessible and understandable for anyone.
The Health Literacy Project, also known as ‘Lifting All Voices,’ is a partnership between the AACF, the City of Frederick, and University of Maryland Horowitz Center of Health Literacy.
This partnership was formed to address the inequities in access to health information and resources during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. It began in 2021 and is in its final year.
Lifting All Voices aims to build health literacy for Frederick residents, healthcare providers, and community organizations, specifically residents with Limited English Proficiency and housing and health insurance insecurity. The cultural and language groups served under this project include Spanish, French, Burmese, Vietnamese, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Russian, Gujarati, Korean, and Urdu.
AACF’s team of Community Health Workers (CHWs) lend their cultural and linguistic expertise to support development and community outreach initiatives. Other organizations, including Frederick Health Hospital and the city’s healthcare clinic, provide testing and vaccine services.
Additionally, Lifting All Voices also helps COVID-19 testing centers and vaccine providers assess their organizations and implement the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) and health literacy best practices.
The Asian American Center of Frederick works closely with UMD Horowitz Center to ensure sustainability of the program’s objectives by developing a Community Health Worker curriculum that will help educate other community leaders on how to access information and resources related to COVID and other health topics.
Every day, AACF’s team of Community Health Workers are in the field and amongst diverse communities, building trust, and providing reliable health related information and referrals to local resources.
Funding Agency
The Health Literacy Project is supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health.
Contact Us
Elizabeth Chung
Executive Director
Email: [email protected]
For information requests or to participate in this program, please contact:
Mehdi Modabbir
Program Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (301) 694-3355 Extension 3388
Address:
45 East All Saints Street, Frederick, MD 21701
Hours:
Monday – Thursday 9:30am – 5:30pm; Select Saturdays
Read about us in the news:
Lifting All Voices to Improve Health Literacy
The Horowitz Center, Asian American Center of Frederick (AACF), City of Frederick, and Frederick County Health Care Coalition launched Lifting All Voices.
UMD researchers lead project on boosting health literacy in underserved communities
University of Maryland researchers from the Horowitz Center for Health Literacy are leading a project, “Lifting All Voices.”
HHS Announces Awardees to Fight COVID-19 and Improve Health Literacy Among Racial and Ethnic Minority and Vulnerable Communities
The Advancing Health Literacy (AHL) to Enhance Equitable Community Responses to COVID-19 initiative.
Nonprofits hope grant will lead to health equity in Frederick County
With the help of grant funding, six Frederick County nonprofits are partnering to advance health equity across minority and underserved populations.
Health Literacy Spans Language Divide for COVID-19
October is Health Literacy Month! Our Horowitz Center for Health Literacy is holding its fourth annual Health Literacy in Action conference October 14-15, 2021.
Community Health Worker Training Program
We train and educate frontline public health workers who help our community get access to health care and services.
Asian American Center of Frederick is a Maryland state accredited training and apprenticeship center for Community Health Workers.
The program is designed specifically for individuals looking to work in the field of community healthcare advocacy for the first time, as well as those already established in the field and looking to up-skill. Through this training, we aim to bridge the healthcare gap for Limited English Proficiency communities with an overarching goal of equity in healthcare for all.
This program aims to:
- Strengthen the public health workforce with new or enhanced curricula
- Increase CHW and health support worker employment readiness through a network of partnerships advance health equity and support for underserved communities by increasing the number of CHWs and health support workers
- Reduce health and disparities and help underserved residents achieve health equity
- Increase access to care and prevention services for COVID-19 and other public health emergencies in underserved communities
Who is a Community Health Worker?
A Community Health Worker (CHW) is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables a CHW to serve as a liaison to, link to, or intermediary between health and social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. A CHW also builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self‐sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, the provision of information to support individuals in the community, social support, and advocacy.
Maryland’s CHW Core Competencies:
1. Advocacy and community capacity building skills
2. Effective oral and written communication skills
3. Cultural competency
4. Understanding of ethics and confidentiality issues
5. Knowledge of local resources and system navigation
6. Care coordination support skills
7. Teaching skills to promote healthy behavior change
8. Outreach methods and strategies
9. Understanding of public health concepts and health literacy
Why become a Community Health Worker with AACF?
In addition to high quality curriculum and virtual training options, AACF offers its trainees financial support to offset the costs associated with training, including computer supplies, text books, childcare, transportation, etc.
What are the benefits of working with a Community Health Worker?
Community health workers are a crucial and supportive link between health and social services and the communities they serve. From facilitating health care access to improving the well-being of community members, community health workers provide a service that positively impacts the lives of the nation’s vulnerable groups.
Funding Agencies
This program is funded by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Maryland Department of Labor: Employment Advancement Right Now (EARN) Program, and Maryland Department of Health.
Contact Us
Read about us in the news:
First class of community health workers ready to put training to practice
Before Lam Nguyen came to the United States from Vietnam last winter, she didn’t expect that her translation and interpretation expertise could help other immigrants.
Asian American Center to get $2.4M to train community health workers
The Asian American Center of Frederick will get $2.4 million as part of a $225 million fund in the American Rescue Plan Act.
Asian American Center of Frederick (AACF) – Testimonial - Workforce Development and Adult Learning
My name is Elly Sedita, or Wang, Qin/ 王琴 in my native Chinese language.
Health workers in Frederick County bridge gap between community medical needs and services
Hospital emergency rooms are intended for medical emergencies. But that’s not always the case. Sometimes, ER patients might be better served by alternative medical care: a primary care physician or a long-term care management plan.
Community health workers to graduate Jan. 8
The Asian American Center of Frederick, in partnership with Frederick Memorial Hospital, will recognize the second cohort of community health worker class during a certificate ceremony at FMH Crestwood on Jan. 8.
Frederick Community Health Fair
Frederick Community Health Fair is a yearly event that brings medical service providers, local resource agencies and health educators under one roof to ensure a healthier future for our community. All services are provided in presence of Medical Interpreters and Community Health Workers. It features many local social service agencies and family friendly activities. Most importantly, no insurance, appointment, or proof of residency are required to attend.
This event is organized by the Asian American Center of Frederick in partnership with Frederick Health Hospital.
For event related information, please contact:
TJ Sydykov
Director of Operations
Email: [email protected]
Tel: (301)694-3355, ext. 1046
Website: www.FrederickHealthFair.info
This event features:
Equity in Access for All!
No insurance, proof of residency, or appointments are necessary and all services are offered free of charge!
On-site Medical Interpreters and Community Health Workers
On-site licensed Medical Interpreters and certified Community Health Workers.
Comprehensive Medical Services
Local medical professionals provide a comprehensive list of services under one roof completely free of charge.
Local Resource Information
Local community services agencies exhibit their work and providing information about available resources!
Family Friendly Activities
This event also features family-friendly activities, gift raffles, and giveaways!
Check out our past event:
Thousands receive no-cost medical services at 16th annual Frederick Community Health Fair
Hundreds of medical professionals, language interpreters and community organizers joined forces.
Wow! Our Mini Health Fair 2020 was a Success!
We want to thank everyone who was involved with this years Mini Health Fair 2020.
2021 Frederick Health Fair
Recap of 2021 Frederick Community Health Fair by Frederick County Government.
Frederick Health's Community Impact Report
The annual health and wellness fair provides health screenings, services, referrals, and followups for the community.
Community Outreach and Education
With the help of our Community Health Workers, we provide outreach and education services for a variety of topics in hard-to-reach communities, including immigrants and those with Limited English Proficiency.
We stay abreast with public health updates and community needs to provide most relevant information to our community members. Below you will find our current list of Community Outreach and Education program offering:
- Maternal and child health
- Immigrant Mental Health
- Nutrion and Diabetes
- Aging in Place
- Senior Companionship
- Breast and Cervical Cancer
- Alzheimer’s and Dementia
- Tobacco Use Prevention
- Composting & Waste Reduction
- Problem Gambling Prevention
- Diabetes & Dental Health
- Service Navigation
- Child Abuse Prevention
- Early Childhood Development
- AND MORE!
Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS)
All information shared by AACF is in accordance with culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS) to improve the quality of services provided to all individuals, which will ultimately help reduce health disparities and achieve health equity. Health inequities in our nation are well documented and providing CLAS is one strategy to help eliminate health inequities. By tailoring services to an individual’s culture and language preferences, health professionals can help bring about positive health outcomes for diverse populations.
AACF stands by provision of health services that are respectful of and responsive to the health beliefs, practices, and needs of diverse patients can help create positive health outcomes. We believe that the pursuit of health equity is vital to these efforts; every citizen deserves dignity and quality of care.
Contact Us
Sierra Dischel
Program Specialist
Email: [email protected]
Tel: (301) 694-3355, ext. 1016
Read about us in the news:
Senior citizens learn about volunteer opportunities, support services at expo
Asian American Center hosts open house to celebrate EmpowerU program
Multicultural Nowruz celebration welcomes new beginnings at Islamic Society of Frederick
As city studies viability of west Frederick health center, advocates say it’s long overdue
Group working to start Chinese, Spanish immersion charter school in Frederick
Kaiser Permanente Community Health Access Program (CHAP)
We help provide health coverage and assistance for people who do not have access to health insurance.
AACF is a partner agency for Kaiser Permanente Community Health Access Program (CHAP) in the mid-atlantic region. We offer assistance to community members with applications for free health insurance coverage provided by Kaiser Permanente. In 2023, we enrolled over 800 individuals who are not otherwise eligible for coverage due to undocumented or underdocumented status.
Members of the Community Health Access Program (CHAP) do not have to pay monthly premiums, and often do not have any out-of-pocket costs at Kaiser Permanente facilities.
Learn more about eligibility here.
Contact Us
Learn More:
Get Help with the Community Health Access Program
To apply for CHAP call one of the locations below. You must apply through a CHAP Navigator to enroll into CHAP.
KPproud Mid-Atlantic States
Kaiser Permanente Commits $355,000 to D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia Organizations to Improve Community Health
Benefits
Learn about Your Community Health Access Program Benefits
Eligibility
Qualify for Community Health Access Program
Apply Now
How to Apply for the Community Health Access Program – Important Deadlines
Language Resource Services
We employ a team of translators and certified interpreters for medical, legal, and social services appointments and language assistance in the workplace.
“Language Access” is a right and many members of our community with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) still face barriers in access to important information and and life-saving services. AACF is working hard to ensure equity for our immigrant community by providing Language Resourse Services to government agencies, healthcare practices, and local businesses.
Certified interpreters and translators are available by appointment for in-person and remote services. Please know that your right to language access is protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on national origin, and 2000’s Executive Order 13166, which affirms Title VI’s language access requirement and outlines additional requirements.
Who must provide language access?
Anyone receiving federal support, even indirectly, is required to provide language access. Moreover, Title VI applies to a recipient’s entire program or activity. This means all parts of a recipient’s operations are covered, regardless of whether the recipient is only partially funded through federal funds. Language access requirements are therefore relevant to a wide variety of programs, organizations and agencies.
To learn more about Language Access and statutory requirements, click here.
Medical Interpreter Training Program
AACF also trains and certifies individuals as medical interpreters through the Community Health Worker Training Program. Learn more, click here.
Contact Language Resource Services
Vanda Yamkovenko
Language Resource Services Manager
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 301.694.3355
To schedule an appointment:
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 410-753-AACF (2223)
Our Team
Get to know the people in our organization helping to make a difference every day.
Board of Directors
Meet our board members who help lead the AACF behind the scenes.
Careers
Join our team and help make a difference in the lives of immigrants in Frederick County.
Locations
Visit us to find programs, services, and resources at our different locations.
In the News
Read about past and present work done by the AACF.
Get Involved
Learn more about what we do and how you can help.
Get Involved
Learn more about what we do and how you can help.
In the News
Read about past and present work done by the AACF.
Locations
Visit us to find programs, services, and resources at our different locations.