Field Placement: Community Food Security Coalition
Location: Venice, CA
Preceptor: Tori Kjer, Program Coordinator
Student Name: Christine Chiang
Year: 2003

Agency Description: Incorporated in 1995, Thai Health And Information Services (THAIS), Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) community based organization which provides health and information services in the Thai community of Los Angeles. Their mission is to enhance the quality of life of Thai individuals and families in Los Angeles County through the provision of culturally and linguistically appropriate health, mental health, and social services. THAIS, Inc.’s core services includes annual flu shots, community health fairs, enrollment for public and social benefits programs, "Fit For Life" aerobics program, food stamps, job placement services, linkages to mainstream service organizations, Medi-Cal enrollment, and the Thai senior choir and support group. In addition to these ongoing services, current grant funded projects include: 1) Cervical and Breast Cancer Screening Program; 2) Reading Room which provides literacy development for Thai children; and 3) Thai Senior Healthy Heart Project which provides education, activities, and referrals to decrease hypertension in Thai seniors.

Field Study Population: The project was directed to address the needs of Thai immigrant senior citizens, aged 55 and over, in the Los Angeles City districts of Hollywood (officially “Thai Town”) and North Hollywood. Many of these seniors access Social Security as their main source of income, share compact low income living spaces with other Thai seniors, have limited access to transportation and social activities, and are unable to compete for gainful employment.

Field Study Description: The goal of this project was to secure a new funding stream to sustain the existing objectives of the “Thai Seniors Health Support Group.” In order to attain this goal, the student intern/interim Project Coordinator had two primary objectives: (1) to assist in coordinating the social support activities of the existing support group; and (2) to assist in the grant writing process. Specific activities to support the goals and objectives of this field study included conducting outreach events, posting newspaper advertisements in the local Thai newspapers, coordinating senior activities and senior luncheons, and researching and writing grants proposals. The preceptor met with the student intern on a weekly basis to discuss the project objectives. All activities were coordinated through a joint effort with THAIS, Inc. staff.

Project Outcome: As a result of this field work, THAIS, Inc. secured two sources of funding: (1) a mini-grant from Kaiser Permanente to support the “Thai Senior Mental Health Project and; (2) a grant from The California Endowment to support the “Thai Senior Healthy Heart Project.” Through this Field Study, THAIS, Inc. was able to outreach to 155 (goal of 50) new seniors at seven outreach events (goal of seven), post three newspaper advertisements (goal of one), coordinate six activity sessions (goal of six) and 14 senior luncheons (goal of 12). In addition, THAIS, Inc. sent out 12 grant proposal and/or letters of intent (goal of 2) to sustain the “Thai Seniors Health Support Group.” At the time of this document, THAIS, Inc. is still awaiting responses from many of the grantors regarding funding.

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