Community Health Workers

Understanding California’s Community Health Worker/Promotor Workforce: CHW/P Health Care Employers

Healthforce Center at UCSF

This report describes current hospital and community health center practices related to the employment of CHW/Ps in their organizations.

Understanding California’s Community Health Worker/Promotor Workforce: CHW/P Training Programs

Healthforce Center at UCSF

This report presents the results of research into the CHW/P education and training programs in California, including details about program location(s), delivery mode, length and more.

Street Medicine in California: ‘Go to the People’

December 12, 2022

Avram Goldstein

Homelessness & Health Care, Behavioral Health, Health Equity

California’s persistent homelessness crisis has fueled rapid growth in community street medicine programs dedicated to bringing health care and social services to unsheltered people.

Understanding California’s Community Health Worker/Promotor Workforce: A Survey of CHW/Ps

This report summarizes findings from a survey of community health workers and promotores in California. It attempts to crystallize key attributes and perspectives of this important workforce.

It’s Time to Build New Opportunities for Community Health Workers and Promotores

October 13, 2022

Kiran Savage-Sangwan, Mayra E. Alvarez, Jeffrey Reynoso, Maria Lemus

A statewide coalition focused on community health workers and promotores is developing a policy agenda and public outreach campaign to support and expand this vital, often overlooked part of the health workforce.

Summary of Medicaid State Plan Amendments for Community Health Workers

This chart summarizes state plan amendments to CMS from seven states seeking authorization for CHWs to serve a broad Medicaid population.

Disaster Service Workers Step Up in Pandemic

January 7, 2022

Aisling Carroll

Homelessness & Health Care, Workforce, Behavioral Health

How local agencies expanded their assistance to Santa Clara County’s unhoused population in the COVID-19 era.

With Superheroes and Songs, El Sol’s Promotores Help Vaccinate Inland Empire

December 3, 2021

Workforce, Health Equity

Community health workers have devoted significant energy to disseminating information about the coronavirus and the vaccines that protect people from it.

December 1, 2021

Webinar — Learning About California’s Community Health Worker State Plan Amendment

December 1, 2021

This webinar will present opportunities by California's proposed community health worker (CHW) State Plan Amendment (SPA), the core elements of an SPA, approaches to CHW SPAs in other states, and some key considerations for California. It will also include a panel discussion representing diverse perspectives on the role of CHW/Ps as both lay health care workers and community advocates, the need for sustainable funding for the CHW/P workforce, and the critical function of CHW/Ps in advancing health equity and improving health outcomes.

October 14, 2021

Webinar — Advancing California’s Community Health Worker & Promotor Workforce in Medi-Cal

October 14, 2021

This webinar will include diverse perspectives from managed care plans, community health workers and promotores (CHW/Ps), and other community voices on the important role CHW/Ps play in our health care system. Speakers will share strategies for managed care plans to better integrate CHW/Ps into publicly funded health care programs and services and ways to access practical resources.

California Poised for Major Expansion of Community Health Workers

August 17, 2021

Workforce, Medi-Cal

The 2021–22 state budget establishes a community health worker benefit within Medi-Cal.

Community Health Workers and Peers Are Essential to Counties’ COVID-19 Response

February 16, 2021

Amanda Clarke, Megan Renfrew, Zoe So

CHWs and peers are making vital contributions to communities that have been disproportionately hurt by the pandemic.

Community Health Workers and Promotores de Salud

Health Equity, Workforce

Community health workers and promotores de salud have long played a vital role in promoting health and well-being, particularly in communities historically not well served by the health care system. The need to expand this important workforce takes on new urgency in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Could Community Health Workers and Promotores de Salud Help California Respond to COVID-19?

Workforce, Medi-Cal

Meet Tia Aida, a veteran community health worker in Chula Vista, California. She says the pandemic caused a surge in requests for her help.

Online Convening — Adapting to COVID-19: Preparing and Supporting Community Health Workers and Promotores

This online convening is for those supporting Community Health Workers and Promotores (CHW/Ps) in training and employment environments.