Promotores Academy was founded in 2011, by a partnership between El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center and the Institute for Community Partnerships at Loma Linda University. The Academy was established to fill the gap in CHW training in our local region and to develop a much-needed workforce that is ideal for linking the community to the social and healthcare systems. Through the training, the Academy provides expertise in research and evidence-based curricula, workforce integration capacity building, and support in organizational readiness.
We train community health workers to foster and sustain health in their communities. Students receive training in individual and community capacity building, health promotion and disease prevention, cultural mediation, advocacy, home visitation skills, and more. The Academy provides ongoing support and mentorship to build professional and workforce capacity.
To be a training home of excellence for Community Health Workers/Promotores.
To strengthen the workforce capacity of Community Health Workers who promote health equity and well-being in communities.
Wholeness, Excellence, Compassion, Awareness, Respect, Empowerment (WE CARE).
The GCHW 010 training program introduces students to the philosophy and practice of community health promotion. Students are immersed in a participatory experience whereby they collaborate on topical themes that strengthen participants' leadership for facilitating critical dialogue, as well as to actively involve individuals, employees, families, and agencies in building healthy communities. Topics include: public health fundamentals, popular education, cultural humility, emotional intelligence, leadership, health education & promotion, and home visitation. Students also receive comprehensive Behavioral Health training that will prepare them to provide harm-reduction mental health aid, understand and apply the foundations of behavior change, work in an inter-disciplinary team approach, and assist communities in using resources in physical and behavioral health services. Length of Program: 100 hours of didactic training and 100 hours practical experience.
The GCHW 020 specialty training program prepares CHWs to function as members of a clinical care team, in both inpatient and outpatient settings, with a case management approach to patient care. Topics include: organizational culture, HIPPA, basic medical terminology, home visitation, patient navigation, service/care coordination, motivational interviewing and goal setting. Length of Program: 80 hours of didactic training and 200 hours practical experience. Pre-requisites: Successful completion of the Foundations training.
The GCHW 011 specialty training program addresses the social determinants that drive health and education. As part of school-based teams, trained CHEWs will provide health and educational outreach and advocacy for the Whole Family (students and parents), and serve as liaisons between the community, resources, and the schools. Topics include: family engagement, navigating educational resources, home visitation, confidentiality and safety issues. Admission into this program is contract based. Pre-requisites: Successful completion of the Foundations training.
Promotores Academy offers specialty, fast-paced trainings for organizations employing or utilizing CHWs. Email PromotoresAcademy@llu.edu for more information.
“Being a community health worker allowed me to grow personally and develop abilities and skills that I would have not imagined possessing before. During my personal growth and the training, I realized that I could provide so much and truly help my community.”