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OCC’s First Graduating Cohort of Community Health Workers Equipped for Equitable Care

OCC Marketing & Public Relations
May 22, 2024
  • News Release
 A woman shaking another woman's hand
Orange Coast College conferred certificates to the inaugural cohort of 18 students who completed the Community Health Worker program on Friday, May 17.

Generously funded by the Samueli Foundation, Orange Coast College has developed a program that addresses the urgent need for certificated community health workers in the health and nonprofit sectors. These workers are crucial in filling service gaps for at-risk individuals and connecting those underserved by the traditional healthcare system with culturally competent health and social services. They are the vital link that overcomes cultural and linguistic barriers, ensuring equal access to healthcare for all communities.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for community health workers is set to surge by 14 percent from 2022 to 2032, a growth rate significantly higher than the average for all occupations.

“Inside of the classroom and with the right direction, we were able to bring and reflect on our personal qualities and attributes,” says OCC graduate Ronnie Perez. “As a result, after being introduced to the roles and competencies of the CHW, we were allowed to collectively define empathy and formulate how to function as a “frontline public health worker.”

The first cohort began in Fall 2023 and completed three noncredit courses and an internship to earn their certificate.

OCC students enrolled in the Community Health Worker program develop the education and skills needed to become community health workers, including health promotion education, culturally based mindful communication, social support and mentoring, and resource management.

Courses are noncredit and tuition-free. Students should have an intermediate level of English and need a high school diploma or GED by program completion. The coursework will take approximately two semesters to complete, and most courses are offered in a hybrid modality.