What employers need to know about CHWs, wellness-focused roles, and training foundations
Who this guide is for
- Exploring Community Health Workers (CHWs)
- Expanding wellness-focused or prevention roles
- Supporting non-clinical staff in healthcare, public health, education, or community settings
While Community Health Workers are a central focus, many of the concepts in this guide also apply to wellness coaches, prevention staff, outreach workers, and other community-connected roles.
WHAT YOU’LL GET
This practical overview covers how California organizations:
- Use community-based roles to support access, prevention, and care coordination
- Apply shared training foundations across different job titles
- Think through onboarding, refreshers, and role clarity
- Align training with program goals and funding expectations
- Avoid common pitfalls when integrating non-clinical staff into teams
As new roles emerge—such as wellness-focused or prevention-oriented positions—many programs are finding that shared training foundations matter more than job titles alone.
Certification Note
California does not require a single statewide certification for CHWs or related roles. Requirements vary by employer, funding source, and program design.
Many organizations use core competency frameworks and certificates of completion as part of internal training and documentation, alongside supervision and on-the-job support.
This guide is informational and intended for organizational planning. It does not replace role-specific requirements, funding guidance, or regulatory policies.