Community Health Workers

❤️ Help Us Lead with Heart ❤️

Unwavering Support for CHWs/PDS in Oregon 
Apply & Join our Team Today!

Somos Salud CHW

Since our founding in 1998, Familias has been dedicated to supporting and working alongside Community Health Workers and Promotores de Salud (CHWs/PDSs), who play a pivotal role in our pursuit of Latino/a/e health equity. Our commitment to CHWs/PDSs has been unwavering, and we are proud to bring to life our vision of Familias en Acción serving as a backbone agency for Latina/o/e CHWs/PDSs in Oregon.

As we move forward, our focus will be on developing internal infrastructure to better support and elevate the CHW/PDS workforce. We will concentrate on enhancing our Workforce Development initiatives, which include our 90-hour CHW training and certification program; administering continuing education units (CEUs); offering professional development opportunities; and providing technical assistance to other community based organizations seeking to implement CHW/PDS training programs.

We firmly believe that empowering and investing in the growth of CHWs/PDSs will lead to stronger and more sustainable healthcare outcomes within our communities. We are excited about the possibilities this vision holds and are grateful for the ongoing support and collaboration from all of you – our comunidad. Together, we can continue making a significant impact on the lives of individuals and families, and we look forward to fostering a more equitable and inclusive future for all. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us.

Help Us Lead with Heart

Empower CHWs: Join us in a dynamic role that empowers Community Health Workers (CHWs) to lead and shape healthcare equity for Oregon's Latino communities.

Leadership Development: Be at the forefront of CHW leadership development, mentoring the next generation of healthcare advocates.

CHW Advocacy: Drive the advocacy and recognition of CHWs, ensuring they are valued and compensated fairly in healthcare delivery models.

Cultural Sensitivity: Embrace the rich Spanish-speaking culture of Oregon, focusing on strong Spanish language skills to enhance your impact.

Collaborative Impact: Work collaboratively with CHW Supervisors and Coordinators to amplify your influence in creating positive change.

Resource Management: Hone your skills in prioritizing and managing limited resources while delivering unwavering support to CHWs and their communities.

Shape the Future: Join an innovative team that envisions a future where CHWs play a central role in Oregon's healthcare system, driving health equity and wellbeing for all.

Apply & Join Familias en Acción

Thank you for your interest in working with Familias! There are no open positions at this time.

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Creating Opportunity for Promotores de Salud

One of our goals has been to build capacity and economic stability for Promotores de Salud/Community Health Workers in Oregon. We are proud to announce that our first cohort in Somos Salud – Familias’ culturally-specific, Spanish language CHW Training & Certification Program – was a huge success.

We had a total of 24 graduates with participants from 8 organizations across Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, and Marion County.

In addition to offering the 90-hour training, we hope to provide continuing education opportunities for Promotores to maintain their certification, as well as one-on-one support for Promotores who need assistance with the application and renewal process.

Our next cohort starts on June 13-August 2, 8:30am-4pm. It will be held in-person and in Spanish.

Learn More & Apply
Register for 14th Annual Conference + CEUs
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Community Health Fall 2022 Update

Somos Salud

In August, the Familias en Acción Community Health Worker Training Program was approved by the Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) Office of Equity and Inclusion. Familias en Acción applied to become a training site to meet Oregon’s high demand of Latino/x/e Promotores de Salud who need access to certification. Familias en Acción’s Somos Salud is an adaptation of the We Are Health Community Health Worker Training Program that is widely used across the state.

 

Over the last few years, Familias worked with Adelante Mujeres and Centro Cultural to adapt the training. We look forward to collaborating with other CBOs across Oregon that are interested in training Promotores de Salud. In addition to offering the 90-hour training, we hope to provide continuing education opportunities for Promotores to maintain their certification, as well as one-on-one support for Promotores who need assistance with the application and renewal process.

 

The Familias en Acción Community Health Worker Training Program will only be offered in Spanish at this time. Our first cohort is planned for Winter 2023 and we already have a full class. We are actively planning additional cohorts for 2023 and beyond, and look forward to communicating this information as soon as it becomes available. If you would like to be added to our waiting list for future cohorts, please email sonia@familiasenaccion.org. To find other training sites, utilize the OHA search engine here.

The funding for this work is made possible through grants from: Meyer Memorial Trust, CareOregon, and the OHA Office of Equity and Inclusion.

Heal -OR ECHO

The Oregon ECHO Network provides an interactive educational and community-building experience for healthcare professionals throughout the state of Oregon to create a case-based learning environment through the convenience of video connection. The primary aim of the OEN is to increase access to specialist expertise intended to improve participants’ knowledge, skills, and processes to deliver care, and increase the number of local experts through clinician expert mentoring and peer-to-peer learning. Participation in ECHO programs is free to participants and all ECHO programs offer continuing education credits.

 

ECHO Registration is open for the Winter 2023 Programs!  Winter 2023 topics include:

  • Adult Mental Health

  • Chronic Pain and Opioids

  • Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Screening Outreach for Rural Communities

  • Substance Use Disorders in Adolescents

  • SUD in Ambulatory Care: Effective Systems for Implementation

  • Substance Use Disorders in Hospital Care

  • Integrated Behavioral Health for Adult Populations

  • Reproductive Health in Primary Care

  • AHEC Clinical Experiential Teaching

  • Public Health Preceptor

  • Recovery Peers in Medical Settings

  • Pain Management and Substance Use Disorder in Dental Settings

  • Whole-Person Care for Diabetes Management

Healthcare practitioners (including Community Health Workers) serving Latino populations are encouraged to sign-up! Familias en Acción has the privilege of supporting the Oregon ECHO Network and teaching in various programs throughout the year.

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Community Health Summer 2022 Update​

CHW Summer 2022 Update

Community Health Education

 

National Diabetes Prevention Program

The National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) is an evidence-based program with curriculum from the CDC to prevent Type 2 Diabetes. It is a one-year commitment from participants to attend weekly and then biweekly sessions. This program emphasizes healthy lifestyle changes.  We learn to make healthy, culturally relevant food choices for a healthier lifestyle and we discuss and encourage the importance of physical activity in our lives. Participants are also introduced to methods of stress control. 

In this program, we support each other and we learn from each other while adhering to the curriculum. At Familias en Acción, we have multiple classes being held in Spanish, and more coming! These classes are currently being held online with participation across the state. 

If you would like to participate in a DPP class or refer someone to class, please contact our CHW Program Coordinator, Sonia: sonia@familiasenaccion.org.

 

Comments from DPP Participants:

“Pero le doy gracias a usted doña Zoraya y al grupo y al programa por todos su apoyo y su esfuerzo de ayudarnos a saber la importancia de cómo cuidar nuestra salud y cómo prevenir las enfermedades y cómo cuidar la salud de nuestras familias me gusta mucho estar en este programa me a ayudado a saber que no se trata de comer y comer si no de checar lo que uno come y bebamos que es muy importante saber todo eso y también la importancia de tomar agua muchas gracias gracias gracias”

“Hola, El programa de prevención de Diabetes es un gran programa de apoyo con información verídica y actualizada que a mi me a ayudado a establecer más metas en cuanto a mi cuidado físico y mental, gracias a estas sesiones me siento motivada para continuar comiendo sano, se que no estoy sola, siento apoyo emocional con el grupo, yo tengo diabetes desde hace más 11 años y el estilo virtual y la personalidad en que Zoraya nos da este programa, nos mantiene enfocados en nuestros objetivos, Gracias por su calidad humana como promotora de salud!”

“Hola mi nombre es Sara yo participo en las clases de cómo controlar el azúcar o diabetes con Zoraya y me da mucho gusto aver encontrado un grupo asi adonde me siento cómoda hablando y participando y que me a ayudado aser cambios en mi vida diaria para para poder acabar con mi prediabetis y ser mas saludable.”

 

Chronic Disease Self-Management Programs

Familias en Acción and the Providence Promotores de Salud have partnered up to deliver Chronic Disease Self-Management Programs in the community. 

We offer Manejo personal de la diabetes, a type 2 diabetes curriculum and Tomando control de su salud, a general chronic disease curriculum.

Some topics include:

  • Techniques to deal with symptoms and management
  • Looking at healthy eating, reading nutrition labels
  • Working more effectively with health care providers

Sign up for our upcoming class! We have a Tomando class scheduled to start on Thursday, September 22. For questions or to register, contact Zoraya at 503-730-3456 or zoraya@familiasenaccion.org. More classes are offered throughout the year! 

 

Oregon ECHO Projects

Registration is open for TWO upcoming Oregon ECHO Network programs. Due to grant requirements, clinicians in the following counties will be prioritized for participation: Baker, Umatilla, Wasco, Gilliam, Hood River and Sherman. Further, we will prioritize healthcare practitioners serving older adults, Latino populations, and those working in medically underserved communities.
 
 

LONG COVID FOR OREGON CLINICIANS

This 12-Session program will support clinicians, staff and other healthcare professionals working with patients living with Long COVID in the following ways:
• Diagnose Long COVID and differentiated from conditions with similar presentations.
• Educate patients about the disease and self-management techniques
• Manage the three most common hallmark Long COVID symptoms: Post-exertional malaise, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction.
• Manage hallmark Long COVID symptoms not common in primary care including dysautonomia and POTS.
• Develop an understanding of patient experiences in order to apply a trauma-informed approach to care.

Thursdays, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. PST, September 15 – December 8, 2022

 
For more information about this program and to register, visit link.

This ECHO series will cover culturally competent diagnosis, pharmacology, and non-pharmacological treatment of the following conditions: 
• Major Depressive Disorder
• Suicidal Ideation
• Bipolar Disorders
• Anxiety Disorders
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Eating Disorders

 

Wednesdays, 7:30 a.m – 8:30 a.m. PST, September 14 – December 7, 2022

 
For more information about this program and to register, visit link.
 
 

Summer Hikes 

Our Community Health Workers have been organizing hikes during the summer to invite community members to explore new areas in the Portland Metro area. The goal of these hikes is to create a space for non-traditional hikers to visit sites that are right in their backyard. We welcome hikers of all ages and all experience levels! For information on the next hike, contact Nancy: nancy@familiasenaccion.org.  

CHW Celebrations: 

Our CHWs (Community Health Workers) who have been supporting COVID-19 positive community members over the past few years were celebrated by both Multnomah County and Clackamas County this summer. 

CHWs were able to enjoy the company of other Community Based Organizations doing similar work while enjoying delicious food, participating in self care activities and remembering all the amazing work that has been done. We were grateful for the opportunity to slow down and take some time to reflect on the number of households that have been supported and also to celebrate the amazing CHWs that have been supporting households through this pandemic.

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Oregon ECHO Network + Familias en Acción

Familias en Acción has joined the faculty teams for TWO upcoming Oregon ECHO Network programs.

PARTNERING WITH CHWS: DIABETES AND HYPERTENSION PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT

The purpose of this ECHO is to build the capacity of health systems and community-based organizations to incorporate support for CHWs into programs as valuable assets in prevention and management of diabetes and hypertension in the community.

Wednesdays, noon – 1 p.m. PST, April 6 – June 22, 2022

For more information about this program and to register, visit link or view PDF attachment. 

DIABETES CARE FOR WHOLE-PERSON HEALTH

Primary care clinicians and teams are cordially invited to participate in the Diabetes Care for Whole-Person Health ECHO program, sponsored as part of the HRSA Telehealth Technology-Enabled Learning Program (TTELP) in order to improve rural health outcomes.

The purpose of this 12-session ECHO program is to enhance the ability of primary care clinicians and healthcare team members to effectively manage diabetes and its complications.

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Meet Gonzalo from Lomita Farms

Gonzalo was really passionate about getting into agriculture as a way to connect to his Indigenous heritage and to create some healing. His family is from a small rural town in Oaxaca, Mexico, where the majority of the people are Indigenous and grow a lot of the food they eat like Maiz. He describes it as a very humble and beautiful way of life, and it made him sad to not have access to it as a result of migration. These thoughts were always in the back of his head, but he never really knew how to move forward with them. Then in the fall of 2019, a friend shared an application with him for the Zenger Farm Apprenticeship Program, an 8-month intensive program focused on teaching folks all the aspects of running a small-scale farm. He applied and was successful in getting one of the 4 spots available. It was an incredible experience getting to witness an entire season of growing and stewarding the land. What made the experience even more unique was seeing the ways that Zenger Farm and community partners worked to make their food accessible to low-income and other marginalized folks. Gonzalo’s experience challenged and inspired him to envision what food justice could look like for his community. 

Towards the end of his farming apprenticeship at Zenger Farm in 2020, they got to tour and learn about the Headwaters Incubator Farm in Gresham, OR. This program is managed by the East Multnomah County Soil and Water Conservation District and makes land and other farm infrastructure accessible to beginning farmers. Being able to witness how much support there was for beginning farmers like him, empowered him to make the decision to apply for a spot in the farm incubator program, and he was accepted. Gonzalo wasn’t sure if he would be able to go through with it though, because he didn’t have the funds to buy supplies/tools and provide for himself during that first year. But he is resourceful and really wanted to make it happen, so he started a Gofundme and was able to raise some funds to cover everything he needed for the farm and to cover some living expenses.

@lomitafarmpdx

He would not have been able to pursue his farming dreams without the support of community members who believed in his farm aspirations. What especially motivated him to pursue this wild dream was my desire to see more farms owned by People of Color, especially Migrants and folks who have traditionally been exploited by large-scale agriculture. Like many other migrant families, his family struggled with living expenses when they first moved to the United States. To help make ends meet, his family relied heavily on food pantries. Though he is grateful for the support we received, he wants to recognize how these nonprofits sometimes fail families by providing mostly canned foods and foods that are not culturally significant.

@lomitafarmpdx

This experience really informed his vision for food justice and has guided the way his farm operates. He is trying to grow culturally significant vegetables for Latinx folks, things like maiz, epazote, calabazas, and more. Next year, he wants to find more creative ways to get all his food out to Latinx folks and to also share my experience and traditions through community events centered on Latinx folks. 

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Updates on Omicron Variant

How easily does Omicron spread? 

The Omicron variant likely will spread more easily than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and how easily Omicron spreads compared to Delta remains unknown. CDC expects that anyone with Omicron infection can spread the virus to others, even if they are vaccinated or don’t have symptoms.

Will Omicron cause more severe illness? 

More data is needed to know if Omicron infections, and especially reinfections and breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated, cause more severe illness or death than infection with other variants.

Tools to Fight Omicron

  • Vaccines remain the best public health measure to protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission, and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging. 
  • Masks offer protection against all variants. CDC continues to recommend wearing a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high community transmission, regardless of vaccination status. 
  • Tests can tell you if you are currently infected with COVID-19. Two types of tests are used to test for current infection: nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and antigen tests. NAAT and antigen tests can only tell you if you have a current infection. 
  • Self-tests can be used at home or anywhere, are easy to use, and produce rapid results. If your self-test has a positive result, stay home or isolate for 10 days, wear a mask if you have contact with others, and call your healthcare provider. 
Source: CDC

For more information, visit the CDC here

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Our CHWs deliver food boxes to families 

Our Community Health Worker Program at Familias en Acción coordinates and delivers food to Latino/x/e families in the greater Portland-metro area. Our Community Health Workers (CHWs) deliver 30-50 food boxes to families every two weeks. 

The program partners with Gonzalo Garcia Reyes, owner of Lomita Farm, to provide locally grown produce to families. Every delivery, families are receiving fresh vegetables, recipes, and fact sheets to learn more about their produce. 

  • Gonzalo Garcia Reyes, Owner
    Lomita Farm
  • Sonia y Diana, CHWs
    Familias en Acción

In September, Familias began a new partnership with Clay Street Table, which adds culturally-specific pantry staples to our produce deliveries. We want our families to have vibrant, full meals on their tables!

Familias en Acción wants to express gratitude to Lomita Farm and Clay Street Table for their partnership. Their continued support, commitment, and cooperation has made our food box deliveries so successful for our families. With their help, we have delivered over 350 food boxes over the last few months. 

Muchísimas gracias for the important role that you both are playing in the Latino/x/e community! And a big shoutout to our CHW Program team for coordinating these efforts. 

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