Who We Are

El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center and CHW/P Training Center is a community-rooted organization advancing equity through culturally responsive health and education.

Grounded in lived experience and trusted relationships, we partner with communities across the country to build the knowledge, skills, and leadership needed to improve health outcomes and expand access to care.

We were among the first agencies in California to develop a dedicated mental health curriculum for CHW/Ps, setting a standard for teaching and adult learning.

Our work has received statewide and national recognition, including being named White House Nonprofit of the Year in 2021.

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Today, we support frontline workers and the organizations that employ them through:

Competency-based training programs

Practical digital tools and resources

Apprenticeships and workforce development pathways

Technical assistance and implementation support

Leading the CHW Workforce Movement

El Sol has been at the forefront of California’s CalAIM transformation, helping prepare CHWs to deliver reimbursable services to Medi-Cal members with high and complex needs.

We train both individual CHWs and newly contracted agencies that are building community care teams for the first time, ensuring they are confident, compliant, and ready to serve.

Our Commitment

At El Sol, we believe that the people closest to the challenges are closest to the solutions. We center community voice, dignity, and choice in everything we do. By investing in CHWs and the organizations that support them, we strengthen local systems of care and create lasting impact.

Together, we are building towards a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, and a health system that works for everyone.

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Vision

CHW/Ps are supported to serve as catalysts for community-led change through holistic, practice-based learning.

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Mission

We provide relevant, blended learning opportunities that strengthen CHW/P identity and proficiency, supporting continuous growth as community agents of change.

Impact and Community Voices

Our CHW/P training prepares both new and seasoned Community Health Workers to walk alongside families, navigate complex systems, and respond to everyday challenges with skill, compassion, and consistency.

Key Outcomes We Prioritize:

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Employment & Growth

Supporting pathways into CHW roles and continued development.

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Leadership

Growing community leaders who organize, teach, and advocate

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Health Access

Helping families connect to services and reduce barriers

Community Voices

“[The training] helped me strengthen my communication skills, especially when it comes to building trust and maintaining connection with clients from a distance. I also learned how to manage my time, stay organized, and set clear boundaries – skills that are important when working in a less structured, remote environment…”

— CHW/P Training Participant

“I was able to build on and strengthen the skills I already had as a CHW such as advocacy and home visits and learn new techniques to implement and utilize to better support the population I serve.”

— CHW/P Training Participant

“…we have a parent who has historically struggled with consistency in attending support groups. The CHW identified possible barriers, worked collaboratively with the [parents] to create a realistic plan, and provided encouragement and accountability. As a result, the parent has successfully attended the last three meetings-something they had not been able to do before.”

“It’s made me more aware of some of the issues that the community is facing and how I can help members navigate through the issues”