California Association of Community Health Workers

The California Association of Community Health Workers is a statewide advocacy group in California. Its mission is to value and promote Community Health Workers (CHWs), who play a vital role in facilitating access to health and social services and improving the cultural competence of service delivery.

Mission and Role

The association aims to build a multicultural organization that supports CHWs in various settings. CHWs are frontline health workers who often serve as liaisons between health services and the community, helping to address a wide range of health issues through preventive care, chronic disease management, and behavioral health support.

Community Health Workers in California

CHWs in California are recognized for their role in providing essential health services to diverse communities, including assistance with chronic condition management, behavioral health, preventive services, perinatal care, and environmental health issues. They are integral to programs like the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative, which includes CHW services as part of Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports for Medi-Cal members.

Regional Collaborations

The California health care landscape involves collaborations between Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Local Health Jurisdictions (LHJs), and state agencies to support CHW programs. These collaborations help ensure that CHWs can effectively serve diverse populations across California.

Advocacy and Impact

The association advocates for policies and practices that strengthen the CHW workforce, emphasize workforce diversity, and prioritize community cultural wealth. This includes supporting statewide efforts to certify, train, and compensate CHWs equitably within the health care system.

Diversity and Representation

The association is part of a broader network of organizations and coalitions in California that work to ensure the needs of diverse CHW populations are met. These efforts focus on improving health care quality and achieving more equitable health outcomes for all communities.

While the California Association of Community Health Workers is distinct, it aligns with broader initiatives to foster community health and address health disparities across the state.