The Community Health Worker Program

The Community Health Worker Program (Promotora Program) strengthens the health and well-being of families in our community by increasing health knowledge and awareness while enhancing access to preventative health services for medically underserved women and families. This evidence-based program responds to the needs of our medically underserved Hispanic and African American population and the risk factors that prevent them from accessing health services: lack of health insurance; lack of transportation; financial hardship – high poverty rates; lack of childcare; personal fear or cultural mistrust of the healthcare system; immigration barriers; and literacy or language barriers. Our current health education classes include Nutrition, Living Healthy with Diabetes, Breast Cancer Awareness and Prevention, and Nurturing Parenting.

The Maternal & Child Health Promotora Program trains women from our community (Promotora) to respond to local women's health needs by providing grassroots education programs, parenting classes, counseling and access to health services in the community and at the Center. Our community health presentations and educational programming reaches over 15,000 women annually. A Promotora is a community member who serves as an advocate to empower people with knowledge, tools, and access to services. Our Promotoras conduct the following grassroots educational programs and services:

1. Breast Health
2. Lead Poisoning Education
3. Diabetes Prevention Nutrition as a Tool Against Disease Pre-Natal
4. Healthy Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
5. Mental Health & Counseling Services
6. Community Health Advocacy & Resource Referals
7. Positive Parenting Courses (8-Week Certified Course)