Community Health Workers/promotoras

 

Our Program

SFCCC’s newest workforce development program seeks to improve the health of low-income San Franciscans through the training, support, and expanded use of Community Health Worker/Promotoras (CHW/Ps).

Under the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development’s Public Safety Academy, SFCCC’s CHW Training and Certification Program provides San Francisco residents and community members with the training and experience to become certified CHW/Ps with a special emphasis on navigating and retaining public benefits like Medi-Cal, Cal-Fresh, Healthy San Francisco, and more.

 

What is a Community Health Worker/Promotora?

Community Health Workers, also known as Promotoras de Salud (CHW/Ps) are trusted members of the community who serve as a link between community members and medical or social services to facilitate access and improve the experience, quality, and cultural competence of service delivery. CHW/Ps are uniquely positioned to address Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) like housing and food insecurity.

With the recent changes to eligibility for many public benefits programs, CHWs and Promotoras are needed now more than ever to ensure our community members are supported to maintain benefits, navigate resources, and access life-saving services.

 

Program Components & Eligibility

SFCCC’s Community Health Worker training program is a 5 month paid training program that focuses on CHW fundamentals, public benefits training and includes a 40-hour internship in one of SFCCC’s member health centers, equipping participants with real world experience to apply their skills.

Our curriculum follows both California’s state guidelines for CHW training and the 11 C3 CHW Core Skills including: interpersonal and relationship building, advocacy, capacity building, outreach skills, individual and community assessment, professional skills and conduct.

Eligibility criteria:

  • Must be 18 years or older.

  • Must live in San Francisco.

  • Must qualify as low-income.

  • Must be interested in public/community health.

Ready to apply?

Thank you for your interest in our program! Cohort 1 is currently full. We will be opening applications for Cohort 2 later this fall - stay tuned for updates!

About the program:

  • Where: The program meets in person at SFCCC's offices in the Mission.

  • When: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am - 2pm

    • Cohort 1 is currently full

    • Cohort 2: begins ~February 2027

Benefits include:

  • Stipend payments

  • State-compliant CHW certificate

  • Internship at a community clinic

  • Coaching from experienced CHWs

  • Job search and support after graduation

 

Community Health Workers: The heart of care

SFCCC recently produced a video about the vital impact CHWs have in our healthcare system and communities, especially in community health centers like our member clinics.

This video is part of the Amplifying Impact initiative, made possible through the generous support of the California Health Care Foundation and Health Leads.

 

Contact us

Elfie Benavides (she/they)
Program Coordinator, Community Health Workers/Promotoras
ebenavides@sfccc.org

Felipe Flores (they/them/elle)
Director, Community Health Workers/Promotoras
fflores@sfccc.org