The North Carolina Farmworker Health Program (NCFHP) is a statewide Migrant Health Voucher Program within the Office of Rural Health and Community Care, NC DHHS. As opposed to a free-standing health center, NCFHP works with local agencies to provide care throughout the state to meet the needs of smaller densities of farmworkers. NCFHP responds to gaps in health care that would otherwise prevent farmworkers from accessing needed care.

Our particular model relies heavily on enabling services, including outreach, case management and health education, as we have learned that strong outreach and case management services are an essential component of linking workers with appropriate services.

The program first began in 1993 with the support of federal funds from the Bureau of Primary Health Care and has as its mission to..."work with a statewide network of service providers to improve the health of migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families in the state".

NCFHP strives to achieve its mission through the following core activities/strategies:

• Funding health centers and reimbursing private providers to increase access to health care and dental services for farmworkers and their families.
• Building capacity, through training and technical assistance, to increase the provision of quality, culturally and linguistically appropriate services for farmworker families.
• Building relationships and collaborations to connect and leverage resources in the community.
• Advocating for access to quality health care and a safe working and living environment for farmworkers in North Caroli

In addition, NCFHP manages the following programs to enhance access to care for farmworker families

• Health and dental contracts
• The Migrant Health Fee-for-Service Program
• 340-B Pharmaceutical Assistance Program
• The AmeriCorps SAFE Program
• Student Placements

Farmwork is one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States and North Carolina is fifth in the nation in the number of farmworkers. Very few farmworkers are covered through Medicaid, most do not have health insurance and few may be covered by worker's compensation. The majority of farmworkers in North Carolina also face numerous barriers to care, including limited availability of healthcare services in rural areas, cost, transportation, clinic hours, and limited language capacity.

• Increasing equal access to quality, continuous, comprehensive, and affordable health care; dental services; and social support services for farmworkers and their dependents
• Building the capacity of service providers to eliminate health disparities, give culturally appropriate, community based, client-centered care, and to advocate/collaborate for the health and well-being of migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their dependents
• Building the capacity of farmworkers to use preventive measures that may reduce health risks associated with farmworker living and working conditions, as well as accessing resources to address issues that affect their lives
• Designing interventions based on sound data and proven methods

The North Carolina Farmworker Health Program believes in quality health care for all. NCFHP envisions access to quality, affordable, community-based, culturally appropriate, and comprehensive healthcare services for migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families in North Carolina, contributing to their improved health and quality of life.

NCFHP recognizes the unique leadership role it plays to advocate for access to quality healthcare by providing funding and technical assistance to healthcare providers serving farmworkers, building relationships and collaborations to connect and leverage resources in the community, and disseminating information about the needs and contributions of farmworkers in North Carolina - to strengthen the healthcare system.

To learn more about the North Carolina Farmworker Health Program's accomplishments over the years, take a look at our NCFHP Program Profiles by year.