CCmáS: Sowing Seeds of Reproductive Health Education in Puerto Rico

PPWI’s CCmáS Program has long been symbolized by a tree — one with deep roots in the Latinx community, and branches reaching out across the state of Wisconsin. CCmáS is now sowing seeds of reproductive health education in Puerto Rico — work made possible by the efforts of PPWI Director of Latinx Programming Maria Barker and Promotora de Salud (Health Promoter) Emilia Hernandez, with funding provided by Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA).

Recognizing a Need

Emilia divides her time between serving Waukesha’s Latinx Community and spending time with her extended family in Puerto Rico. As a health promoter, she saw a desperate need for reproductive health care and education in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico.

Limited Access, Cultural Stigmas

“What can be more rewarding than helping your community by creating trust, so people can share their true needs — and then connect them to the reputable community resources available to serve them”

Confidential reproductive health care is often limited to those over age 21 or who are already married or have children. Additionally, domestic abuse is a serious issue in the community. Because these topics are culturally not up for discussion, CCmáS helps to normalize those conversations and educate people about sex and healthy relationships. Maria elevated these issues to PPFA’s Latinx Task Force. The result was special funding to bring CCmáS programming to the US Territory.

Facing Resistance

Given the long history of reproductive coercion and stigmas surrounding Sex Ed, Maria and Emilia expected resistance. Emilia made contact with several community organizations to discuss how CCmáS could help the people they serve. While her direct contacts saw tremendous value, many of the agencies’ top leaders refused to become involved.

Change of Plans

Maria and Emilia decided to pivot their outreach work — going straight to the community to put their work into action. They held several informal home health parties hosted by supportive friends and families. They also began planning a large community-wide health fair inviting businesses and agencies to participate. The event offered blood pressure checks, diabetic screening, STD testing, health and nutrition information, condom demonstrations, and more. It was incredibly successful; rallied support for CCmáS throughout the community at large; and garnered additional grant funding to continue this work in Puerto Rico.

New Growth for CCmáS

The next phase will be done in collaboration with Alguien Inc., a Development Center for Women. Through this partnership the full CCmáS curriculum will be offered, along with training for women interested in becoming Promotores — like Emilia — as a professional development opportunity.

CCmáS (Cuidándonos Creceremos más Sanos/Growing Healthier Together) is a Spanish-language outreach and educational program developed by and for the Latinx Community in partnership with PPWI’s Education team and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Learn more at ppwi.org/ccmas