Daya Houston Initiates Healthcare Collaboration
Last updated: June 22, 2009

HOUSTON: On Sunday, June 14, Daya held a networking luncheon with healthcare providers from South Asian and other local healthcare facilities.

The luncheon was attended by over forty individuals and groups to assist build comprehensive solutions to domestic violence.

The luncheon was the first major step towards the idea that initiated in 2009 and the goals of which are to ensure that domestic violence victims have timely access to affordable access to healthcare providers and resources.

The long term goal of the program is also to collaborate with physicians, psychiatrists, counselors, nurses, ob-gynecologists, pediatricians, psychologists and other healthcare providers to provide necessary healthcare services for domestic violence victims.

The attendees also included individuals from Shifa Clinic, Indian Doctors Association, Memorial Hermann Forensic Nursing Services, Child Protective Services, and ICNA Relief, who will be crucial in assisting Daya attain its short and long term goals.

Some of the ways that were suggested for the healthcare providers to help the victims at their facilities was to inform them about Daya services, provide them with free and subsidized healthcare and be sensitive to their cultural needs and DV history.

Most Daya clients come in with limited access to health coverage, lack of knowledge on healthcare services, language barriers and visa related issues.

Currently, Daya helps the Domestic Violence victims by applying for their Medicaid, CHIP, Gold Card, and Indigent Health Card. In case of medical help, the victims are referred to local charity clinics. Daya strives to offer culture sensitive services to the clients with its three full time staff members and volunteers that speak 22 South Asian languages.

Daya promotes healthy family relationships in the South-Asian community by providing services that include counseling, referrals, legal advocacy, and financial support to women and children affected by family violence and sexual assault.

Daya also promotes awareness on topics relevant to the welfare of South Asian families through educational seminars, publications, and outreach events.

Another project initiated by Daya in 2009 is to work closely with teens and adults and educate them about domestic violence and related issues that could impact them in the future. As part of the project, Daya will be holding the “Care, Connect, Communicate: Building Healthy Relationships”, that will be targeting the youth and their parents, educating them about issues such as peer pressure, violence free dating, smart decision making, communication etc.