Patient Navigators
CACF coordinates and supports a network of culturally responsive, multilingual patient navigators to help people apply for health insurance.
In 2013, the New York State of Health awarded CACF with a 5-year In-Person Navigator Grant to provide one-on-one enrollment assistance to individuals, families, small businesses and their employees to apply for health insurance through the New York State of Health.
To date, we have assisted over 30,000 people and have provided multilingual and culturally competent enrollment assistance. In 2019, CACF celebrated the renewal of another 5-year award from New York State of Health to enable organizations throughout New York to serve as In-Person Assistors/Patient Navigators for the health insurance marketplace for the diverse Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.
CACF is a lead organization under this contract and works with 10 AAPI led and serving organizations to provide patient navigator services throughout New York City. Together we serve NYC’s 5 boroughs in 14 sites and have the capacity to speak a total of 18 languages, including Arabic, Bangla/Bengali, Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), English, French, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Nepali, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tibetan, Urdu, Uzbek, and Vietnamese.
By the numbers.
10
10 partner Navigator organizations
14
14 enrollment sites across NYC
18
Capacity to speak a total of 18 languages
30,000+
Over 30,000 people assisted with the enrollment process
Collaborative Partners
Japanese American Social Services, Inc.
Mekong NYC
MinKwon Center for Community Action
United Chinese Association of Brooklyn
UNITED SIKHS
Adhikaar
Arab-American Family Support Center
Council of Peoples Organization
NYU Center for the Study of Asian American Health
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Immigrant Health & Cancer Disparities
Provide Access
“The Coalition for Asian American Children and Families is excited to continue to work with the New York State of Health through the In-Person Assistor/Navigator program. As a lead organization, CACF recognizes the incredible impact Patient Navigators have on the healthcare system and their ability to create healthier communities.
Nearly 45% of the Asian Pacific American community speaks little to no English. Linguistically and culturally competent Patient Navigators can serve our APA communities better and meet the needs of community members of linguistically isolated groups. We are proud to help provide access to services and to communities including Arab American, Bangladeshi, Cambodian, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Tibetan, Vietnamese and more.”
—
Anita Gundanna, Co-Executive Director, CACF
Trusted Leaders
“In NYC, the Bangladeshi population is more likely to be uninsured, 10.8% compared to 12.4% for the general population (according to data from an analysis by the Asian American Federation Census Information Center). Bangladeshis also have higher rates of limited English proficiency compared to all other New Yorkers.
Challenges such as these make understanding and navigating the health care system a complex and daunting task for this predominantly immigrant community. In addition to providing enrollment assistance, our Navigators, who are fluent in English, Hindi, Bengali and Urdu, provide culturally and linguistically tailored outreach and education about health coverage options. Because they are trusted leaders in their community, they serve as a bridge between Bangladeshi community members and the healthcare system. Continuation of this Navigator program is vital for ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to affordable and essential health care.“
—
Nadia Islam, Associate Professor, NYU Center for the Study of Asian American Health (CSAAH)
Next Level of Care
“We are honored to partner with the Coalition for Asian American Children & Families and its esteemed member organizations to help provide the next level of care for New York's Asian Pacific American community.
As our community remains at risk for a disproportionate burden of preventable diseases in the United States, it is crucial we provide better access to health information, screenings and care. Through this partnership, we are able to make a measurable impact for hundreds of members of the community with an innovative, grassroots approach available in multiple languages that cater to historically underserved populations at gurdwaras, schools, community centers and our local office.“
—
Hardayal Singh, Founding Member, UNITED SIKHS
Who to Contact
For more information on the Patient Navigators, please contact Andrea Wu, Director of Operations, at awu@cacf.org.
