Under advisement from May 6, 2025 (Item No. 9): Receive report relating to a preliminary feasibility study to implement full-scale promotores/community health worker programs in East San Jose and South County. (Public Health Department)

The report discusses a preliminary feasibility study for implementing full-scale community health worker programs in East San Jose and South County. It outlines the need for such programs, fiscal implications, and recommendations for future investment. The study highlights the importance of community health workers (CHWs) in connecting individuals to healthcare and addressing root health issues. It identifies key findings from various evidence streams and proposes a model for funding and program implementation, emphasizing the need for a community resilience hub and equitable compensation for CHWs.

Key points

• The report is addressed to the Board of Supervisors and authored by Sarah L. Rudman, MD MPH.
• It recommends receiving a report on the feasibility of community health worker programs.
• There are no immediate fiscal implications, but future proposals may require funding considerations.
• The focus population for the study is Latino residents in specific ZIP codes, but the program could extend beyond this group.
• The study involved an Advisory Committee and drew on interviews, focus groups, surveys, and analysis of other counties.
• Key findings include the need for sustainable funding and the effectiveness of CHW programs in reducing healthcare costs.
• Seven recommendations are made, including establishing a community resilience hub and ensuring pay equity for CHWs.
• The report indicates positive impacts on children, seniors, and overall community health.

Limitations

• The document includes unresolved placeholders and lacks specific fiscal details.
• Some sections reference prior meetings and actions without providing complete context.

Generated for convenience from extracted text using AI. Review the official source document before relying on this summary.

The source text indicates this attachment appears to be a draft document.

The Community Health Worker (CHW) Program Feasibility Study Preliminary Findings Report outlines health disparities among Latino residents in Santa Clara County and recommends expanding CHW services to improve health outcomes. The report highlights the need for a sustainable funding structure, adequate compensation for CHWs, and community involvement in program design. Key recommendations include establishing a community resilience hub, preserving clinical and community pathways, funding training, maximizing cost-effectiveness, ensuring pay equity, and creating a peer network for CHWs.

Key points

• The 2025 Latino Health Assessment identified severe health disparities among Latino residents in specific areas of Santa Clara County.
• The report recommends expanding CHW/Promotor services to serve all residents at disproportionate risk for poor health outcomes.
• Clinical billing through Medi-Cal covers only a small percentage of CHW program costs, necessitating diverse funding sources.
• Compensation for CHWs is inadequate, with many reporting that their pay does not constitute a living wage.
• Training gaps exist due to funding cycles, impacting the sustainability of CHW programs.
• Community input is essential for program success, with recommendations emphasizing the need for a community resilience hub and equitable funding structures.

Limitations

• The document appears to be a draft, as indicated by the preliminary findings and lack of finalized recommendations.
• Some sections of the text are truncated, leading to incomplete information about the study areas and specific recommendations.

Generated for convenience from extracted text using AI. Review the official source document before relying on this summary.

The source text indicates this attachment appears to be a draft document.

The document is a preliminary board report on the feasibility study of Community Health Worker (CHW) programs in Santa Clara County. It outlines the need for CHW services based on findings from the 2025 Latino Health Assessment, which identified significant health disparities. The study aims to analyze the operations of CHWs, assess economic impacts, and develop strategies to support communities at risk for poor health outcomes. Key recommendations include creating community resilience hubs, funding training, and ensuring pay equity. The report also highlights current county investments in CHW initiatives and the importance of community involvement in program design.

Key points

• The 2025 Latino Health Assessment found severe health disparities.
• The study aims to understand CHW operations and conduct an economic analysis.
• Recommendations include creating community resilience hubs and focusing on youth and violence prevention.
• Current county investments involve partnerships with over 12 community-based organizations.

Limitations

• The document appears to be a draft.
• Some sections contain unresolved placeholders or missing information.

Generated for convenience from extracted text using AI. Review the official source document before relying on this summary.

This document is a public comment submitted by Maria Daane, Executive Director of Parents Helping Parents (PHP), regarding agenda item #17 for the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors meeting on April 28, 2026. The comment addresses the Community Health Worker (CHW) Feasibility Study and emphasizes the importance of including disability services in the CHW program. PHP expresses appreciation for their involvement in the study and highlights the need for adequate training and resources for CHWs to support families of children with disabilities.

Key points

• The public comment is regarding the Community Health Worker Feasibility Study.
• Maria Daane is the Executive Director of Parents Helping Parents (PHP).
• PHP has participated in key informant interviews and CHW Advisory Committee meetings.
• The comment emphasizes the importance of addressing the needs of Latino families, particularly those with disabilities.
• Recommendations in the preliminary report include prioritizing disability services training for CHWs.
• There is a noted gap in funding for disability services due to the lack of a Medi-Cal billing code.
• PHP urges the County to strengthen CHW training in disability services to prevent negative outcomes for children with disabilities.

Generated for convenience from extracted text using AI. Review the official source document before relying on this summary.

The source text indicates this attachment appears to be a draft document.

The document is a letter from the Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits (SVCN) and the Race Equity Action Leadership (REAL) Coalition addressed to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. It expresses strong support for the Board's direction to evaluate and advance promotores/community health worker programs in East San Jose and South County. The letter outlines the benefits of promotores in improving health equity and community engagement, while also addressing challenges faced by nonprofit and community partners. It offers several recommendations for the Board, including moving from feasibility to implementation, investing in infrastructure, ensuring stable funding, partnering with community organizations, and supporting workforce pathways for promotores. The letter emphasizes the importance of a coordinated and equity-driven approach to public health interventions.

Key points

• Support for evaluating and advancing promotores/community health worker programs.
• Promotores are essential for improving health equity and community engagement.
• Challenges include fragmented funding and reliance on short-term grants.
• Recommendations include timely investment, infrastructure support, and stable funding.
• Emphasis on partnering with community-based organizations and elevating promotores as part of civic infrastructure.

Limitations

• The document appears to be a draft as it contains placeholders and lacks specific details in some sections.

Generated for convenience from extracted text using AI. Review the official source document before relying on this summary.

Barbara Estrada Reyes, a Community Health Worker with School Health Clinics of Santa Clara County, expresses support for the establishment of a county-wide integrated Community Health Worker (CHW) and Promotora program. She highlights the positive impact of Diabetes Self Management Classes and the various roles CHWs play in educating patients about healthcare access, scheduling appointments, renewing health coverage, and connecting families to support organizations. She emphasizes the importance of CHWs in promoting health equity in Santa Clara County.

Key points

• Barbara Estrada Reyes is a Community Health Worker certified in 2021.
• She supports the establishment of a county-wide integrated CHW and Promotora program.
• She has witnessed improvements in patients' health through Diabetes Self Management Classes.
• CHWs educate patients on preparing for doctor appointments and understanding healthcare options.
• They assist with scheduling specialist appointments and renewing health coverage.
• CHWs connect families to community resources for rent, food assistance, and more.
• They provide health education and training on rights to quality healthcare.

Generated for convenience from extracted text using AI. Review the official source document before relying on this summary.

The source text indicates this attachment appears to be a draft document.

This document is a Request to Speak Form, which is a public record subject to disclosure under the California Public Records Act. It is intended for individuals who wish to address the Board, Committee, or Commission. The form includes sections for the date, agenda item number, and options to indicate support or opposition to an issue, as well as the option to provide written comments for the record. The document appears to be a draft.

Key points

• The document is a Request to Speak Form.
• It is a public record under the California Public Records Act.
• Individuals can fill out the form to address the Board, Committee, or Commission.
• The form includes sections for date, agenda item number, and options to indicate support or opposition.
• There is an option to provide written comments for the record.

Limitations

• The document contains many incomplete sections and placeholders.
• Specific details such as names, dates, and agenda items are missing.

Generated for convenience from extracted text using AI. Review the official source document before relying on this summary.