Impact & Results
Building Sustainable CHW/P Workforce Infrastructure Across the Central Coast
The Central Coast Tri-County CHW/P Capacity Building Collaborative is developing the systems, partnerships, and pathways needed for a thriving Community Health Worker/Promotore workforce across Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo Counties.
We’re building infrastructure that ensures CHWs and Promotores are formally recognized, adequately compensated, and fully integrated into the healthcare delivery system—advancing culturally responsive, preventive care for generations.
National Recognition
2025 ACAP Supporting the Safety Net – Honorable Mention
Nominated by CenCal Health, our Collaborative was recognized by the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) as one of only two organizations nationwide honored in 2025. This recognition highlights community-based models that improve health equity and can be replicated across the safety-net.
We join past Central Coast honorees Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics (2019) and Community Health Centers of the Central Coast (2022).
Infrastructure We’re Building
Training & Certification Pathways
Sustainable Funding Mechanisms
Care Coordination Systems
Policy & Advocacy Infrastructure
Collective Impact Model | 18+ Partner Organizations
Our Collaborative unites the stakeholders necessary for systems change:
- Community-based organizations delivering CHW/P services
- Managed care plans: CenCal Health and Gold Coast Health Plan
- County Public Health Departments (SBC, VTA, SLO)
- Educational partners developing training pathways
- Community Health Synergy (statewide expertise & TA)
- Santa Barbara Foundation (backbone support through 2028)
What makes our partnership strong:
- A tri-county steering committee guiding strategy and alignment
- Regular convenings building trust and coordinating action
Meeting Organizations Where They Are
Our capacity-building support includes:
- Comprehensive needs assessments
- Individualized TA on MCP contracting, billing, workflows, sustainability
- Training series on Medi-Cal eligibility & CHW certification
- Practical tools and templates (billing sheets, crosswalks, care plans)
- Direct connections to MCP contacts and resources
- Peer learning communities to share solutions
This approach recognizes that systems-level change must be paired with organizational readiness.
Tri-County Infrastructure Serving Diverse Communities
Our work spans urban, rural, and geographically isolated areas across the Central Coast, including:
Communities reached include:
Latiné/Hispanic immigrant communities
Farmworker families
Limited-English proficiency households
People with disabilities and chronic conditions
Families facing economic barriers
Geographically isolated residents
We’re building toward a future where:
