Online Program

Oral

In 2010, Occidental College’s Urban & Environmental Policy Institute developed a Community Health Engagement (CHE) program in close collaboration with the College’s community partners, undergraduate students, community-based staff/faculty representing science and social science departments. The result was an innovative pilot where students and promotores attended classes and interned together as a part of public health internship. Internship partners include a community health worker training program, poverty relief organizations, community clinics, and a cancer legal resource organization. The students and promotores acquired invaluable public health insights and lessons while working together to increase access to health education and social service resources that determine and affect health. Students also learned more about the unique and important role promotores play in health promotion. Together they researched and referred clinic patients to necessary resources including food and nutrition programs, employment training programs, affordable housing, mental health service providers and much more. They also hosted health education and screening events, led walking groups and worked with diabetic and pre-diabetic individuals to set healthy lifestyle goals to reduce their A1C levels. The main goals of the CHE program was to identify and develop reciprocal relationships where undergraduate students can learn while contributing to potential solutions that meet a health need faced by community members served by our partner sites. The unique three-way partnership also provided an opportunity for newly trained promotores to complete their internship requirement while participating in continuing education at a liberal arts college. The internship started in January 2013 and continues to today.

Session Objectives: Identify opportunities to leverage health promotion resources through non-traditional partnerships. Identify the key components of developing reciprocal and sustainable community based relationships. Identify the importance of service learning in public health and health promotion, while considering the intricacies of preparing undergraduate students for engaging directly with community members.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)