title: Family services for migrant and seasonal farm workers: the Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA) model.
abstract: Agricultural employers and work supervisors strive to keep children out of worksites, but oftentimes migrating farm worker parents lack accessible or affordable options for childcare in a trusted environment. Thus, children may not have a safe, appropriate place to be while their parents are conducting agricultural work. Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA) of Florida is a community development organization that creates and fosters opportunities for the children of migrant and other low-income rural families. To better understand the RCMA system, an in-depth assessment of its program was undertaken to identify both its standard and unique features. Results revealed many attributes contributing to RCMA's success. Based upon RCMA's 48-year track record, employers, agribusinesses, and communities are encouraged to adopt strategies to meet local and regional childcare needs where parents are working in agriculture.
authors.affiliation: a Amy K. Liebman is affiliated with the Migrant Clinicians Network , Salisbury , Maryland , USA .
authors.forename: Amy K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Liebman
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mainster
authors.forename: Barbara C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods; D002654:Child Care; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018672:Community Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005190:Family; D005431:Florida; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D012424:Rural Population; D012621:Seasons; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014171:Transients and Migrants; D000078329:Workforce
keywords: Agribusiness; agricultural employers; childcare; family services; farm worker children; farm workers; migrant families