It has been sixteen months since ESCORT officially began operation of the National Migrant Education Hotline. After reflecting on this period, a few things have impressed me. First of all, the Hotline logged over 6500 calls nationwide, which means two things: 1) everyone has done a great job of promoting the number and getting the word out to the families, and 2) migrant families continue to have tremendous needs.
When we started planning the hotline three years ago, Frank Contreras, advised us that once we opened the door with a national hotline, calls would start rolling in for help with a host of non-education related emergencies. He was correct. Farmworker families are like all families, except they move a lot more, have less money, and will travel thousands of miles for a job. When they or their children have no food or shelter, or their cars break down, they'll ask for help. Abraham Maslow and Frank were right.
Another surprise was finding out how many agencies out there truly "walk the walk" for migrant families, including Migrant Health, many JTPA 402 projects, Community Action Agencies, churches, local sheriff's departments and, of course, the Migrant Education network. To our dismay, however, too often a service provider (including MEP staff) did not have the time or simply ignored a plea for assistance. I cannot imagine the feeling a migrant mother would have after calling the hotline as a last resort, only to find that no one was willing to help. I would simply ask (or expect) that any state or site that has agreed to accept the hotline calls from families "take care of business." Please.
To everyone who chipped in their time, food, clothing, and energy to assist our families, thank you from all of us at ESCORT.
Bob Levy, Director
Callers primarily requested and received assistance with educational enrollment of children, housing, health, legal concerns, vehicle repairs, and clothing, food, or transportation.
However, this doesn't tell the whole story. Coordination among ESCORT, contact sites, and migrant related service organizations promoted 800 number awareness and fueled the provision of services.
The following were prime examples:
A newly acquired computer contact manager program called "ACE"
allowed ESCORT to maintain an updated directory of contacts and
service providers for follow-up and referrals.
An uninsured migrant farmworker called from La Grange, Kentucky in need of an operation for a fractured leg. Migrant Health's Call For Health was contacted. They made an appointment for the caller at a Louisville clinic.
A Willmar, Minnesota caller requested assistance finding work for himself and six others. A referral was made to Workforce Center in Willmar. They helped the group find work in the Brooten area.
After receiving a call, ESCORT contacted a JTPA program in Dodge City, Iowa who accepted a migrant farmworker for job training. The program also helped the farmworker's family find affordable housing and food.
A migrant worker en route from McAllen, Texas to a job in Indiana called when his family's car broke down in George West, Texas. Motivation, Education and Training (MET) in Corpus Christi was contacted. A MET employee traveled to the family's location to fill out the necessary paper work and provide $150 towards the cost of the vehicle's repairs.
A migrant mother traveling from Texas called from Cape Charles, Virginia asking for clothes for the family. They had left Texas unprepared for the cold weather in Virginia. The Northampton County Migrant Education Program contacted churches and other agencies to deliver clothes to the family.
A migrant worker on disability called from Shafter, California. He was worried about creditors taking his house due to delinquent payments. He was referred to the Migrant Legal Assistance Office in Oxnard, California.
St. Pious Catholic Church in Glencoe, Minnesota provided emergency
food vouchers for a migrant family who had called the 800 number
in need of assistance.
In March of this year, ESCORT welcomed Bert Suarez as a new member to the hotline staff. Bert came to us from Eugene, Oregon. He was last employed with the City of Eugene as a liaison to the Hispanic community. One of Bert's tasks is this Update. You can email Bert with suggestions or ideas if you like.
Remember to email,
mail or fax us (607-436-3606) your order forms for free 800
number materials to distribute to migrant families. You may also
call us at (800) 451-8058 to place your order.
The "Medicine Program" contracts with drug companies to provide free medications to income eligible applicants. For more information, contact ESCORT or The Medicine Program at: P.O. Box 4182, Poplar Bluff, MO 63902-1626. Tel: 573-778-1118.
Internet: http://www.themedicineprogram.com
email: The
Medicine Program at help@themedicineprogram.com
Do you have migrant clients who need eyeglasses? "New
Eyes For The Needy" provides vouchers for glasses for the
needy. For a copy of their guidelines and application contact
us or New Eyes For The Needy, 549 Millburn Avenue, Short Hills,
New Jersey 07078.
Tel: 201-376-4903.
ESCORT has maintained an 800 number emergency fund. More
than $5500 has been raised and distributed to callers for emergency
financial assistance. Call toll free (888)922-4673 for more information
or to make a donation!
800-234-8848 Migrant Ed. Hotline
800-377-9968 Call For Health
800-949-1916 Florida Migrant Interstate Project
800-292-7006 Texas Migrant Interstate Program
800 Number Home Page