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Format:
Print
Author:
Ascherio, Marta
Dept./Program:
Community Development and Applied Economics
Year:
2012
Degree:
MS
Abstract:
Spanish-speaking workers have"been replacing native English speakers across industries in the United States. (Harlow, 2000). Dairy farmers throughout Vermont and the Northeastern United States began hiring Hispanic migrant workers in the early 2000's (Bolduc & Kessel, 2008; Grusenmeyer, 2005; Jenkins et aI., 2009). Such a rapid influx of a Spanish-speaking, undocumented, ethnic minority in Vermont is unprecedented and poses new challenges to employers, educators, health care providers, and other agencies interested in the wellbeing of communities throughout the state. Migrant agricultural workers are a high-risk population with unique needs who oftern face numerous obstacles in accessing services (McCurdy and Carroll, 2000).
Using a mixed methods approach, this study looks at the challenges for and priorities of Vermont organizations as they attempt to serve this new demographic. Further, knowing that inter agency collaboration enhances the provision of services, the study examines what factors of successful collaboration are present among qualifying agencies. This is the first study to formally assess and document inter-organizational collaboration regarding Hispanic migrant workers in the state of Vermont.
Study findings indicate that health care is the most frequently identified primary service provided to Hispanic migrant workers in Vermont. Primary challenges identified are lack of health insurance and language barriers. Organizational priorities include the education of Vermont communities, promoting bias-free policing practices, and increasing migrants' access to services. The highest concentration of service providers is in Addison County, and in the rest of the state service providers are concentrated in areas that have the highest number of dairy farms. Organizations most frequently identified the Vermont Migrant Education Program (VMEP) as a contact for initiatives regarding this population. Analysis of interview data suggests that inter-organizational collaboration is characterized by high levels of trust, shared values and vision, frequent but informal communication, an awareness of strained resources, and a common concern for the wellbeing of the Hispanic/Latino migrant dairy worker population.