On June 14th, 2023 The Community Health Worker, Promotora, & Representatives Coalition (CHW/P/Rs) celebrated the unveiling of a statewide policy agenda draft that reflects the current status of the CHWPR workforce, the needs of CHWPRs to succeed, and presents policy solutions developed by CHWPRs for the State of California to implement to grow the CHWPR workforce in a way that ensures equity and sustainability for CHWPRs.
The unveiling weaved in potential policy solutions to support equity and sustainability for CHWPRs with the celebration of CHWPR solidarity and unity. Community Health Worker, Queen Tay, welcomed the event with her best friend–a powerful poem Intentional. Wyatt Kelly (CCUIH) helped lead the coalition to acknowledge the sovereignty of Native nations, particularly Maidu, Miwok, and Patwin peoples, and the advocating for the protection of Native lands, resources, and sacred sites.
“We save ourselves together. We save our communities together…we must plant the seeds for a new world” shared Organizer and Promotora Rosa Martha Zárate Macías. The coalition was reminded of the resilience we experience together with her live performance. Promotora Lourdes Bernis led the coalition to singing “love” together and Claudia Corchado (Cultiva La Salud) shared the importance of policy for the wellness of our communities.
Workforce development, integration, economic equity, and equitable access–areas of the policy agenda shared out by Jamaica Sowell (Roots Community Clinic), Maribel Montes de Oca (Vision y Compromiso), Liza Davis (The Children’s Partnership), and Mar Velez (LCHC). See the potential policy solutions here.
“Stronger Together” chanted Community Health Worker, Joe Calderon, as he celebrated some accomplishments of the coalition.
Before Anna Steiner (Transitions Clinic Network) ended with community announcements, Alex Farjado (El Sol Neighborhood Center) gave the coalition a fun preview of the CHWPR Anthem! You can officially listen to it at the National Community Health Worker Association Unity Conference August 3-5.
By the end of the event we felt energized by CHWPR advocacy power and built relationships that fosters trust and respect to build transformative solidarity!
Watch the webinar here.
Take the Survey!
We would love to hear your thoughts on what you would like to see on this policy agenda–the people’s wishlist for our important workforce – through this quick survey.
Survey Link: https://forms.gle/MW1hFdsAnjifvuWA9
Please fill out the survey by Monday August 21st @ 5 PM PST