Our Community Health Worker (CHW) Training Program equips individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to serve as trusted health advocates in their communities. Through comprehensive training, CHWs gain expertise in health education, patient navigation, case management, and cultural competency to address the unique needs of diverse API populations.
We are actively working toward getting all CHWs in our API cohort certified and eligible to bill Medi-Cal for their services. This process involves:
- Completing state-approved CHW training covering key healthcare topics and core competencies.
- Earning certification to provide billable services under Medi-Cal, ensuring sustainable funding for CHW-led programs.
- Establishing partnerships with healthcare providers and agencies to integrate CHWs into Medi-Cal reimbursement models.
By achieving Medi-Cal billing eligibility, CHWs will enhance healthcare accessibility for underserved communities while securing long-term funding to expand their impact.
The API CHW cohort, in collaboration with AACI, has made a transformative impact on healthcare accessibility, cultural competency, and community well-being across Vietnamese, Chinese, Indian American, Korean, Japanese, Filipino, and Pacific Islander populations in Santa Clara County.
- Increased Healthcare Access & Utilization
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- Provided over hundreds of health education, screenings, and wellness programs to thousands of API community members.
- Assisted with Medi-Cal enrollment and healthcare navigation, reducing barriers to medical services.
- Increased awareness of preventive care, chronic disease management, and mental health support.
- Culturally Responsive Health Education
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- Conducted hundreds of in-language workshops and health events, ensuring accessibility for non-English speakers.
- Developed thousands of culturally tailored resources on chronic disease prevention, nutrition, and senior wellness.
- Addressed cultural health disparities, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and mental health stigma.
- Support for Seniors & Vulnerable Populations
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- Expanded senior wellness programs, enhanced wellness programs, including fall prevention, dementia support, and evidence-based programs.
- Provided food assistance programs, improving nutrition and reducing food insecurity among seniors. Provided over thousands of food boxes to the community.
- Established safe spaces for aging communities, fostering social engagement and mental well-being.
- Capacity Building & CHW Workforce Development
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- Trained and mobilized API Community Health Workers (CHWs) to deliver frontline healthcare education.
- Advanced efforts to certify CHWs for Medi-Cal billing, ensuring long-term funding for community programs.
- Strengthened collaborations with healthcare providers and nonprofit organizations to expand services.
- Community Engagement & Advocacy
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- Hosted large-scale health fairs, cultural events, and wellness initiatives to reach underserved populations.
- Distributed essential health resources, including Narcan kits, blood pressure monitors, and diabetes management tools.
- Advocated for funding, policy changes, and healthcare equity for API communities in Santa Clara County.
- Long-Term Sustainability & Expansion
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- Secured continued funding for the CHW program, ensuring program longevity.
- Expanded partnerships from 3 to 9 API nonprofit organizations within 2 years.
- Strengthened efforts to integrate CHWs into healthcare systems, ensuring financial sustainability through Medi-Cal billing eligibility.
In 2017, Asian and Pacific Islander Health Assessment, conducted by the Santa Clara County Public Health Department at the direction of the County Board of Supervisors, identified health disparities among the largest Asian subgroup populations within Santa Clara County: Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Pacific Islander. The data presented in the health assessment serves as an important guide in understanding the diverse health needs of the specific API communities and an essential tool in identifying strategies to address them. Based on the findings of the 2017 API Health Assessment, Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI) partnered with the Santa Clara County Public Health Department to facilitate the next phase of this project.
In Fall of 2018, AACI convened community members to present the findings of the health assessment and obtain feedback on community needs and strategies to address salient health disparity issues. Focus group participants prioritized key areas of concern for the health, mental health, and social determinants of health for APIs and identified gaps in achieving healthy communities. As part of the implementation plan, a community health worker model was identified as a highly promising strategy for addressing the needs identified by the community.
Spotlight: CHWs at AACI Community Health Fair at Rosemary Elementary School