SUSTAINABLE RURAL COMMUNITIES

The Sustainable Rural Communities Project (SRCP) works to ensure equal access to healthcare for California's farmworker and rural indigent population through a three-part strategy of health status data development, analysis and dissemination; public policy analysis and discussion; and community outreach, education and advocacy.

This project addresses the systemic causes of our communities’ poverty, poor health and degraded environment, and coordinates with other advocates on a local, regional, and statewide strategy to craft large-scale solutions around healthcare for all, environmental justice issues (land use, unmet transit needs, water quality), foster more accountable and inclusive governance, and direct financial resources that address SRCP's priorities. 

Policy and Advocacy

CRLAF has helped lead the fight for expanded healthcare for the undocumented in rural California, with particular emphasis on Fresno and Sacramento Counties, including preservation of the Medically Indigent Services Program (MISP) and most recently, Specialty Care. 

CRLAF's Sustainable Rural Communities Project works with the California Endowment on the #Health4All campaign, increasing awareness of the positive effects of undocumented workers in our economy and highlighting their overall lack of access. CRLAF was involved throughout the budget committee process to successfully expand full-scope Medi-Cal coverage to all children under the age 19, young adults under the age of 26, and older adults aged 49 and above, regardless of immigration status.

CRLAF also led the budget request to fund a Farmworker Health Study that was completed by UC Merced in spring of 2023, updating 20 year old farmworker health data, which will be extremely important in informing public policy and identifying the most pressing needs for farmworker health and safety.

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Projects and Collaborations

Since 2015, the Project has managed a water distribution project to ensure nearly 200 households' in two unincorporated Fresco County communities' continued access to safe drinking water.

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The Project works closely with a few schools in Sacramento and Merced counties and parents groups to ensure education equity for children of migrant workers, and English as a Second Language Learners.

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Finally, SRCP currently operates as fiscal lead for a three year drought resiliency statewide project, creating a shared policy platform, and advocating with 7 other community-based-organizations and alongside residents and other stakeholders for greater farmworker protections and economic opportunities.