LifeLong Medical Care's Ongoing Workforce Development Strategy

LifeLong Medical Care’s Ongoing Workforce Development Strategy

Blog contribution: LifeLong Medical Care

L to R: Georgina Marin, Lead CHW, Paola Robles, BH CHW, Maria Martinez, Lead BH CHW

LifeLong’s state-registered Community Health Worker (CHW) Apprenticeship Program in partnership with Berkeley City College is one of many programs boosting the organization’s available workforce.

L to R: Leilani Hall, Mentor, Sara Asefaw, Apprentice

Part of LifeLong’s overall workforce development strategy, the program offers access to employment in community health, coupling free coursework and paid work experience. Over ten months, apprentices obtain their community health worker certificate at Berkeley City College and work at a LifeLong health center as a Behavioral Health (BH) CHW trainee. They are paired one-on-one with a BH CHW mentor who works alongside them, providing real-time guidance in a hands-on environment — and they’re guaranteed positions at LifeLong after program graduation.

L to R: Parisa Ally, Apprentice, Emily Ramirez, Mentor

Last August, LifeLong welcomed three new behavioral health CHWs into the program. Staff and apprentices are: Paola Robles, BH CHW Program Manager; BH CHW Apprentices Parisa Ally, Jesse Sullivan-Sarinana, and Sara Asefaw; Mentors Emily Ramirez, Genevieve Reynoso, and Leilani Hall; and BH CHW Leads Georgina Marin and Maria Martinez.

You can learn more about LifeLong Medical Care HERE.