Community Health Worker Initiatives

Community Health Workers (CHWs)

Public Health has invested in multiple Community Health Worker (CHW) projects to rapidly mobilize community-based organizations and deliver culturally responsive services and support during both ongoing and urgent public health needs.

CHWs are a vital part of our community engagement efforts. As trusted messengers deeply rooted in the neighborhoods they serve, CHWs advance health equity by addressing the social determinants of health, sharing critical health information, and helping individuals navigate complex systems of care. Through outreach, education, and personalized support, CHWs strengthen the connection between public health systems and the communities most impacted by health disparities. Whether going door-to-door, facilitating community events, or providing one-on-one navigation services, CHWs are essential to building healthier, more resilient communities across Los Angeles County.

Projects

Expanding Community Health Work for Sustainable Outreach and Navigation (CHW SON)

Launched in July 2024, the Expanding Community Health Work for Sustainable Outreach and Navigation (CHW SON) project aims to reduce health disparities in communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and other social determinants of health. Through partnerships with 19 community-based organizations (CBOs), Community Health Navigators (CHNs) provide culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach, help residents navigate complex healthcare and social service systems, and connect individuals to essential resources. By strengthening our community-centered care infrastructure and leveraging grassroots outreach networks, CHW SON supports long-term health equity and sustainable access to services across Los Angeles County.

Advancing Community Health and Workforce Education Initiative (WE)

The Community Health Worker Outreach Initiative (CHWOI) mobilized community health workers (CHWs) to conduct grassroots outreach and share accurate, up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 throughout LA County, with a focus on the communities most impacted by the pandemic. The initiative built new infrastructure for a community-based system of response and strengthened collaboration across diverse outreach models, including Promotores, violence intervention workers, parent advocates, worker advocates, and other peer providers.

Funded through the Care First Community Investment (CFCI) under the Los Angeles County Justice, Care and Opportunities Department, the initiative aims to build the capacity of CHWs by offering core competency training, a peer-learning network, and coordinated professional development opportunities. By aligning training, strengthening shared learning, and building a more unified model for CHW workforce development, the WE initiative supports long-term sustainability, improves coordination across systems, and enhances the County’s ability to advance health and equity in communities most impacted by structural inequities.

Community Health Worker Outreach Initiative (CHWOI) (Past Project – October 2020 - April 2025)

Launched in Spring 2024, the Advancing Community Health and Workforce Education (WE) initiative is part of a broader countywide effort to strengthen and invest in the Community Health Worker (CHW) workforce. The initiative seeks to develop a standardized, cross-departmental curriculum for CHWs across the Department of Health Services (DHS), Department of Mental Health (DMH), and Department of Public Health (DPH), while expanding coordination with external partners, community-based organizations, and other County departments that employ CHWs.

At its peak, the initiative funded and deployed over 1,000 CHWs across Los Angeles County; as pandemic response needs shifted, the initiative continued supporting a core workforce of approximately 200 CHWs through 16 community-based contracts coordinated by a fiscal lead agency. Together, these CHWs provided culturally responsive education, resources, and navigation support to help communities stay informed and safe throughout the pandemic.

Who Are Our Current Partners?

Our current partners include the following:

Past partners:

*Organizations funded in previous projects.

We Provide COVID-19 Outreach

Are you hosting a community event? If your organization is interested in providing its attendees with information on COVID-19 and other health topics, please let us know. Our initiative's Community Health Workers can set up a booth at your event. Email us at dph-commengagement@ph.lacounty.gov so we can connect you to an organization serving in your community.

CHW/P/R Consortium

The Los Angeles County CHW/P/R Consortium co-led by the Center for Strategic Partnerships, El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center, and 20 CBOs/CHW/P/Rs, in collaboration with LA County health departments, the Consortium fosters collaboration, supports CHW/P/R development, and ensures CHW/P/R voices shape decisions that benefit high priority communities.

The CHW/P/R Consortium is open to new members and offers all members including community-based organizations and individuals, opportunities to collaborate on strengthening health equity in highly impacted communities. The CHW/P/R Consortium is a brain trust of members that work together to strengthen initiatives that support community-centered approaches that improve health outcomes in communities throughout Southern California.

As part of the CHW/P/R Consortium, the following workgroups are available to join so members can work on specific efforts as included below:

For more information and to join the CHW/P/R Consortium, please access this webpage.

CHW Resources in LA County