You Need Health Support From Someone Who Understands Your Community
- 5 hours ago
- 4 min read
Community Health Worker Services
Why Traditional Healthcare Fails Communities
You go to your doctor's appointment. The doctor talks fast. You don't understand everything. You're uncomfortable asking questions. You feel judged. You leave confused about what to do. You don't follow up.
Or maybe you need help finding resources. You need to understand how to manage your diabetes. You need support with mental health. You need someone who gets your culture, your language, your community. You need someone who's been where you are.
Traditional healthcare providers can't always give you that. But Community Health Workers can.
Fact #1: Research shows that members who receive Community Health Worker (CHW) services have 25% better medication adherence, 30% higher rates of preventive care engagement, and 20% better chronic disease management—because CHWs provide culturally competent, accessible support that removes barriers.
Here's what most Medi-Cal members don't know: Your insurance covers Community Health Workers—trained community members who provide health education, navigation, advocacy, and connection to services in a language and cultural context you understand.
What Community Health Workers Actually Do
Community Health Workers (also called promotores, health navigators, community health representatives, or peer educators) are trained, credentialed professionals who work in their own communities providing health support.
Services include:
Health Education:
Disease prevention and health promotion tailored to your community
Chronic disease management support (diabetes, hypertension, asthma)
Maternal and reproductive health education
Mental health awareness and resources
Substance use prevention and recovery support
Aging and elder health
Health Navigation:
Help understanding your health insurance and benefits
Assistance scheduling medical appointments
Help finding providers who speak your language
Navigation of complex health systems
Support attending appointments and advocating for yourself
Help accessing emergency services when needed
Individual Support & Advocacy:
One-on-one coaching and counseling
Emotional support and encouragement
Help problem-solving barriers to health
Advocacy for your health needs
Peer mentorship and role modeling
Screening & Assessment:
Health risk screening and early detection
Assessment of social determinants of health (housing, food, employment)
Identification of needs for additional services
Connection to appropriate resources
Social Determinants Connection:
Help accessing housing, food, transportation, employment
Resource navigation for childcare, education, legal services
Connection to community programs and support groups
Advocacy for systemic barriers
Fact #2: Community Health Workers reduce hospitalizations by an average of 20% and emergency department visits by 25% in underserved communities—because they identify and address problems before they become crises.
The CHW Advantage: Cultural Competence & Trust
Your doctor has medical training. Your CHW has lived experience and community trust.
CHWs work within their own communities. They speak your language. They understand your cultural values and beliefs about health. They know the barriers you face. They know the resources that actually work in your neighborhood. They've often faced similar health challenges themselves.
People trust CHWs differently than they trust traditional healthcare providers. That trust makes people more willing to follow health advice, more likely to engage with preventive care, and more successful at managing chronic conditions.
Who Qualifies for CHW Services?
If you:
Have Medi-Cal through Health Net or Health Plan of San Joaquin
Need health education, disease prevention, or health navigation
Want support from someone who speaks your language or understands your culture
Are managing chronic disease and need community-based support
Are at risk for health problems and need early intervention
You likely qualify for Community Health Worker services.
CHWs work with specific populations and communities:
Prenatal and postpartum women
People with chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension, asthma)
Mental health and substance use populations
Aging and elderly populations
Children and families
Immigrant and refugee communities
Low-income and underserved neighborhoods
Why This Costs You Nothing
Community Health Workers are covered by Medi-Cal as a billable service. Your health insurance plan pays them to provide services to you.
You don't pay anything. You don't need a doctor's referral (though you can get one). You just need to know it exists and how to access it.
How Help Is Hope Connects You to CHW Services
Help Is Hope employs Community Health Workers embedded in the Central Valley communities we serve. They speak multiple languages. They understand diverse cultural approaches to health. They're part of their communities.
If you need health support from someone who understands your community:
Complete our intake form and tell us about your health goals and community
Our team connects you with a CHW who matches your language and cultural background
You receive culturally competent health education, navigation, and advocacy
You become more engaged with your health and your healthcare
Learn more about how our Enhanced Care and Community Support services include Community Health Worker coordination and cultural competence.
Health Shouldn't Require Leaving Your Community Behind
You deserve:
Healthcare support in your language
Health education that respects your culture
Navigation help from someone who knows your community
Advocacy from someone who understands your barriers
Trust-based relationship with your health supporter
Book a session with our care team and let's connect you with a Community Health Worker who speaks your language and understands your community.
Your Medi-Cal plan covers it. It costs you nothing. Your health and your community deserve this support.
Hope is not a luxury. It is a lifeline. Let us connect you with health support from your community.
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