Health Literacy Network (HLN) has created the Community Field Testing Program - (CFTP) to provide solutions that improve health literacy.  CFTP is designed to help doctors and health care providers develop more effective patient communication. This program puts participatory community based education in a much larger more effective context, and helps to provide an ongoing solution for health and low literacy.

HLN facilitates Community Field Testing Groups (CFTG) where adults with low literacy skills and/or Limited English Proficiency (LEP) review existing materials for readablity and ease of comprehension, and provide revisions and a detailed summary of recommendations to ensure materials are clear and comprehensive.  HLN specifically works with the underserved and socially disadvantaged communities to empower them to review and edit English language materials written by a health care providers.

A Plain Text Editor (PTE) is a person who is selected through the California Library Literacy Services, Adult Education and/or English as a Second Language (ESL) programs to participate in a CFTG to assess and edit health communication materials developed by doctors and health care providers on specific health topics.  CGTG’s are composed of between 6 to 10 low literacy adults and facilitated by a minimum of 2 literacy professionals. Great care is taken to ensure that the CFTGs are racially and culturally mixed and represent both genders.

As a result, adults with low literacy or LEP improve their own literacy skills, connect with a support community of their peers, develop materials for health care providers and the community as a whole, and feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment and self worth in their ability to help others.

Document Format

We have a 3 page minimium ($3K) which includes a Glossary of Key Terms (Word List) customized specifically for your project with our Plain Text Field Testing Groups.

Standard Format 1 Page

• 8.5 x 11"
• 1" margins
• 14pt type
• Double Space
• Times New Roman Font
• Numbered Pages
• Original Copy w/ Text Edits
• Final Edited Copy
• Plain Text .txt or .doc file - Digital - Email

HLN works with your organization to comply with your style guides, and is available to assist in developing graphics, websites, and multimedia tools. All services are priced according to the length of the piece and the level of service needed.