Hello in response to the question
We recently had a Hispanic BEC client who opted not to complete or submit a SNAP application because he was concerned about sharing personal information given the new administration and changing immigration policies. Have any other BECs
experienced such apprehension from clients?
No matter how many times we tell clients this does not impact – what our client experience in the State of Colorado is so different. I don’t see a difference in New Mexico, Wyoming, Arizona nor Nebraska. The fear is real. The clients
locked up in Ice is real.
Being on any radar what so ever especially with the political noise in the air is real and our clients stop wanting assistance and ask us to take them off list and close the Medicaid applications.
We can show them rules and if they are on Medicare and they should be getting more than 16 per month we explain, Education and show rules to help fight this.
What we cannot fight is the fear, the number of kids that stop going to Doctors appointments.
The number of clients that have gone into Diabetic Comas and passed away because the cut down on medication and test strips due to the high cost.
We at Centura Health Links love to educate people. I have been working with this Community for over ten years, I am a trusted entity and I see clients come back to me again and again but I also see this ritual of when they go into hiding.
I see the impact on schools and Medicaid. I see the turn to Religious entities and how it impacts them. I feel and hear the pain in the clients face when they are in fear of being picked.
I have seen the suffering as a child is left with no one to pick them up after school because a parent disappeared. I have seen other Hispanic parents come up and explain to that child what is happening and they take them into their home
only to not be able to attend a Parent teacher conference or collect Food stamps or other sources to assist with another mouth to feed and clothes all do to fear. I have seen the impacts in school on how many clients are on School lunch plans and how test
scores effect one school and possibly close it down. I see kids getting back packs and living under bridges and having one meal to last them Friday till Monday and these kids couch surfing till someone from their family finds them.
This impacts the parents, the extended families and the communities and education in that community. It becomes an epidemic and God forbid something drastic happens and a family member needs surgery, it impacts everyone. Although research
shows that putting them on Medicaid reduces costs for Hospital and staff we see this avalanche occur.
If you need more information please contact me.
Rachal M Velasquez
Eligibility Specialist
Centura Health LINKS
720-321-8873 Direct Diamond Hill
720-321-8850 Option 2 Intake
720-321-8851 Fax
2420 W. 26th Ave., Suite D-450
Denver, CO 80211
www.centura.org/centura-health-links
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