Training approaches for community health workers and promotores to support Medi-Cal members

As California aims to improve the quality of life and health outcomes for its residents, particularly Medi-Cal members, one strategy is to better integrate community health workers and promotores (CHW/Ps)into health care coordinated by managed care plans (MCPs) and providers. According to the American Public Health Association, a community health worker is a “frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the CHW to serve as a liaison, link, or intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery.” Promotores de salud,or promotoras,are a subset of community health workers who serve Spanish-speaking communities and are characterized as lay health workers with the ability to provide culturally appropriate services informed by their lived experiences. CHW/Ps have been employed across public health, medical, and behavioral health settings with different job titles and performing a range of roles.The topic of CHW/P roles is covered in depth in the first resource package of this project, The Role of CHW/Ps in Health Care Delivery for Medi-Cal Members.