Enrolling in benefits can be complicated and may cause unintended consequences. This becomes more apparent with those who lack permanent immigration status. This training provides a better understanding of how to identify what programs they are eligible for and assist these special populations to ensure they receive the services they need in a timely and appropriate manner.
Lunch will be provided.
Learning Objectives
Learn the eligibility requirement and process to apply for insurance coverage under Affordable Care Act.
Learn the eligibility requirement for federal means-tested programs
Learn the eligibility requirement for Medicaid and Children Health Insurance Program (CHIP),
Learn about Harris Health, eligibility and application process
Target Audience
Interns, new staff, and community organizations will benefit the most from this training. Attendance required for Pathways to Citizenship Collaborative.
About the Presenters
Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative
In 2013, local organizations working with immigrant communities came together to address the lack of legal service capacity in the Houston region. These early meetings eventually became the Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative (HILSC or the Collaborative). Collaborative allies include non-profit legal services providers, outreach and advocacy organizations, the business community, law school legal clinics, public agencies, and private foundations.
The Collaborative plays a critical role convening, coordinating, and communicating in the legal services community. Through our work, more immigrants are receiving low-cost, high-quality legal services for immigration issues in Houston. Our work has become even more urgent in the last few years, as the policy environment in which we work becomes increasingly hostile to immigrants. We have seen a dramatic increase in the demand for immigration legal services and education & outreach efforts in Houston’s diverse immigrant communities.
Ephipany Community Health Outreach Services (ECHOS)
In 2001, in response to the dramatic change in southwest Houston’s demographics the parishioners of the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany established Epiphany Community Health Outreach Services (ECHOS). To this day, ECHOS remains a ministry of the church and the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. ECHOS became a non-profit corporation in 2001. The doors opened to provide health and social services to the growing population of immigrants and refugees living in the area surrounding the Church. ECHOS Benefits Application Assistance Program provides on-site help to families who are unable to access affordable health care and who do not have medical insurance coverage. Staff assists them with completing and submitting applications for healthcare and social services.
Clients are not simply “handed” applications for services but are assisted in completing their application with staff checking the accuracy of their supporting documentation. New applicants receive a follow-up phone call to confirm program acceptance or to provide additional guidance when needed.
Boat People SOS (BPSOS)
Boat People SOS (BPSOS) - Houston is a non-profit social and legal services provider whose purpose is to empower, organize, and equip immigrant communities in their pursuit of liberty and dignity. Our branch provides education, information, and direct assistance to immigrant and refugee families on potential health and legal issues prevalent in the immigrant communities. BPSOS services range from health awareness prevention programs, legal services for low-income families and victims of violence and crime, ESL, citizenship, and digital literacy classes, senior services programs to encourage community engagement, advocacy, and volunteerism.