Turbulent weather (i.e. droughts, tornadoes, spring storms) across the country caused some poor harvests and less than average demand for work for migrant farmworkers and their families. In August, for example, the National Migrant Education Hotline received calls from families wishing to return to Texas early because of a lack of harvesting potential in parts of states such as Colorado and Michigan.
Throughout the spring, however, the three major types of hotline calls were for housing, employment, and financial assistance for car repairs while traveling.
The housing situation for migrant families, we discovered, was compounded by new regulations in states (such as Minnesota) requiring a 30 day waiting period for the obtainment of social service benefits. Many callers complained they were unable to secure housing because they could not receive immediate assistance with the security deposit and first month's rent.
Calls for vehicle repair assistance were fairly common. Help was most frequently and easily provided when agencies and hotline staff joined forces to coordinate services and provide joint financial emergency assistance.
Not surprisingly, other hotline calls involved requests for school enrollment of children, food, clothing, medicine, and legal assistance.
Since the establishment of the Hotline in April of 1996, more than 17,000 calls have been registered. Thanks to the support of you and others, many migrant families dialing the Hotline have received assistance securing educational, health, and other supportive services.
To order promotional materials, contact us at: phone
800-451-8058. Or
email: suarezmh@oneonta.edu
In Warsaw, Minnesota five migrant families were successfully assisted in their search for housing. The hotline staff was able to negotiate with a resort owner, who agreed to let the families move in. The Harvest of Hope Foundation's emergency fund paid for the deposits, and the owner gave the families time to start working and receive their first checks before getting rent money.
A migrant farmworker from Santa Paula, California called in search food for his family of five. The hotline staff person put him in touch with Food Share in Oxnard and the family received the much needed food. The migrant program in Oxnard also assisted in getting the caller's daughter enrolled in a school lunch program.
While on the road from Texas to Minnesota, a migrant farmworker's car broke down outside of Wahpeton, North Dakota. He called the hotline and received assistance getting his car towed to a garage and repaired. Because he was unable to cover the entire cost, he was helped with the balance of the bill by the emergency fund of the Harvest of Hope Foundation.
A young migrant worker from Salinas, California called the hotline, after hours, requesting assistance getting her GED. She was put in contact with the Salinas Migrant Program where she was enrolled in a GED program.
Unemployed and pregnant, a young migrant farmworker called the hotline in need of food and clothing. The MEP program in Grand Island, Nebraska was contacted. As a result, the young woman and her mother were helped in obtaining the sought after food and clothing.
ESCORT thanks all those who have requested 800 number promotional materials for your patience and understanding.
The demand for materials has far exceeded our ability (and
budget) to supply everyone with all the items requested. We will
continue to do the best we can to be fair to everyone, while keeping
a close eye on our supply and funds for materials. For information
on what items we do have available, please call us at 800-451-8058
or Or email: suarezmh@oneonta.edu
Are you involved with migrant farmworkers in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio or Wisconsin? Then you may interested in an excellent publication called "1998 Migrant Health Services Directory."
Expertly laid out, the directory lists available migrant
health services in these states and lists the types of services
provided by each clinic. For copies, write Migrant Health Promotion,
502 West Elm Avenue, Monroe, Michigan 48162 or call 734-243-0711.
ESCORT also has a few copies available. Feel free to contact
us at 800-451-8058.
The National Pesticide Telecommunications Network (NPTN) has a toll-free number (800-858-7378) for questions about pesticide-related information. The line operates 7 days a week from 6:30 am - 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time. Their email address is: nptn@ace.orst.edu .
We know how difficult it is to get a live voice for assistance when calling the Immigration and Naturalization Service. However, if you or a client are just seeking a particular form or forms, you may have better success dialing the INS's toll-free Form Line at: 800-870-3676. Just follow the automated instructions.
ESCORT has available, in English and Spanish, a one page
brochure outlining the rights of immigrants in case of a raid.
The brochure was compiled by the National Lawyer's Guild and other
immigrant rights groups.
800-234-8848 Migrant Education Hotline
800-377-9968 Call For Health
800-949-1916 Florida Migrant Interstate Project
800-292-7006 Texas Migrant Interstate Program
800-504-7081 The National Hispanic Prenatal Hotline
800-968-4046 Southern Michigan Farmworker Legal Services
800-968-1478 Northern Michigan Farmworker Legal Services
800-483-1010 National Homeless Hotline
800-858-7378 National Pesticide Telecommunications Network
800-870-3676 Immigration & Naturalization Service Form Line