BILL NUMBER: AB 2354INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member V. Manuel Perez FEBRUARY 19, 2010 An act relating to public health. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2354, as introduced, V. Manuel Perez. Community Health Workers: Promotores. Existing law establishes training and certification programs for various healing arts professionals including, among others, nurses, midwives, occupational therapists, dietitians, and social workers. This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would prepare California to receive and use various federal health care funding to prepare, train, promote, and expand the work of community health workers, as specified. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) Community Health Workers (CHWs), also known as promotores, peer leaders, or health advocates, serve as a bridge between the community and the public health care system, providing health education and prevention information and resources in a manner that is culturally and linguistically appropriate. CHWs function as cultural brokers who possess a unique understanding of those, often difficult-to-reach, communities they serve. (b) According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, integrating promotores and community health workers into health programs has been associated with improvements in access to health care, prenatal care, pregnancy and birth outcomes, client health status, health- and screening-related behaviors, and reduced health care costs. (c) Federal efforts to address healthcare affordability and accessibility have identified the community health worker and promotores model as an effective practice and have committed financial support to help implement the model. In fact, current federal legislative efforts include funding for CHWs and promotores. (d) The Legislature recognizes and applauds the contributions of CHWs with regard to community health and well-being, and cost-effective prevention. Currently, however, California does not have a statewide certification or any training specific to becoming or working as a promotora or community health worker. (e) It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would prepare California to receive and use federal health care funding, including, but not limited to, health prevention, outreach, and education funding, to prepare, train, promote, and expand the work of promotores, including in community health clinics and county public health departments, throughout the state.