Community Corner
Vietnamese American Health Center Opens In Santa Clara County
The center aims to give Vietnamese and Spanish speakers help navigating Valley Health Center services.
By Jana Kadah, Bay City News Foundation
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — Santa Clara County's Vietnamese American Service Center will open on Monday, bringing behavioral health support, nutrition guidance and other assistance to the community.
The center aims to give Vietnamese and Spanish speakers help navigating Valley Health Center services, including enrollment assistance for health coverage, emergency rental assistance, COVID-19 support programs and a senior nutrition lunch program.
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"We have waited a long time to open these doors," said Betty Duong, manager for the VASC. "We hope community members who step into this space will feel seen and valued, and that the VASC is truly a center for them."
The center has been in the works for nearly a decade, after a county-led study found notable health disparities and barriers to health and human services among the Vietnamese and Spanish-speaking communities.
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The health assessments from 2011 and 2012 both had recommended county leaders construct the VASC.
"We are thrilled that this center is now open to our community," said County Executive Jeffrey V. Smith. "It will be a place where our community members can get services in their preferred language, in an environment built specifically for their needs."
County officials said more services will be added after the full opening in February, including primary care, dental care, on-site child supervision, social services and "an array of community programs to promote wellness."
The center will be open Monday through Friday from 8 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 2410 Senter Road in East San Jose.
The senior nutrition lunch program will be offered daily from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration is required. Call (408) 946-8777 to sign up.
For more information call (408) 828-4981 or email VASC@ceo.sccgov.org.
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