Haylee Fletcher of Prescott Valley, Ariz., spent four months completing her University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service final Capstone project with the International Rescue Committee, a nonprofit resettlement agency that works to serve refugee populations from around the world. Fletcher’s efforts were successful in identifying barriers that refugees face in accessing and understanding health care in Arizona.
In order to create, distribute and collect a medical provider survey, Fletcher first designed and conducted interviews with members from the IRC staff in Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz. These interviews were critical in the development of the medical provider survey, which was completed by 18 providers with a total of 60 individual responses. Through the survey, barriers to service delivery were made clear, and IRC can now begin to partner with and provide additional support to the high-quality medical providers in the community.
“Although Haylee’s project started out with a different design, she was also able to deliver a high quality set of recommendations to improve health service delivery in the office. These recommendations have already proven to be insightful and valuable and the health and direct service teams are committed to making changes that will positively impact our clients,” said Elisabeth Williams, Health Services Manager of IRC. “Haylee was an invaluable member of our team and able to integrate herself into the daily processes of the office.”
Fletcher was able to dedicate her time to improving internal and external systems and structures during her time with IRC. The capstone project is the third of three major field projects in the Clinton School curriculum. Fletcher will graduate May 2015 after defending her capstone project to Clinton School faculty.
About the International Rescue Committee
A global leader in humanitarian assistance, the International Rescue Committee works in more than 40 countries offering help and hope to refugees and others impacted by violent conflict and disaster. During crises, IRC teams provide health care, shelter, clean water, sanitation, learning programs for children and special aid for women. As emergencies subside, the IRC stays to revive livelihoods and help shattered communities recover and rebuild. Every year, the IRC also helps resettle thousands of refugees admitted into the United States, in 22 cities across the country. A tireless advocate for the most vulnerable, the IRC is committed to restoring hope, dignity and opportunity.
For more information, visit www.rescue.org.
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