Loma Linda University Health (LLUH) has launched a Community Health Worker (CHW) Integration Program to address health and social needs in San Bernardino County. Coordinated by the Institute for Community Partnerships (ICP), the program aims to expand access to care for vulnerable populations through workforce development and educational initiatives. Since 2016, the CHW integration program has trained 300 CHWs and will educate another 240 trainees. To support this effort, LLUH invests in nonprofit, community-based organizations by providing seed funding for CHW positions or offering technical assistance with grant activities, helping partners increase their capacity to secure funding for CHW roles. LLUH integrates CHWs into the health system and local schools to directly support at-risk groups, including infants and mothers in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, diabetic patients, and students facing health and behavioral challenges. Through community outreach, home visits, and peer support, CHWs provide important services that go beyond traditional clinical care. 

Why We Did It

LLUH initiated this project to improve community health outcomes by highlighting the unique support of CHWs. Recognizing the value of time-intensive, personalized care, LLUH invested in training and employing CHWs who understand the community’s specific challenges. This initiative supports vulnerable populations and fosters economic development by creating stable, benefit-inclusive employment for CHWs. By integrating these workers into sectors like healthcare and education, LLUH seeks to build a healthier, more resilient community while ensuring that CHWs have sustainable, equitable job opportunities.

Topics: Chronic Disease Management|Community Care|Food Security/Nutrition|Maternal Health Care|Workforce Development