I currently serve as Manager, Health Linkages within the Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO) Children & Family Resource Services (CFRS). I lead a team of 65+ community health workers (promotores) across Santa Barbara County who initiate and strengthen the links between health, safety, social services, and education. This is based on a strong longstanding partnership with the Santa Barbara County Promotores Network/Red de Promotores.
Upon identifying gaps in health and social services in Santa Barbara County, I plan and organize countywide Health Linkages programs. By developing procedures for the programs to include research-informed and best practices, I monitor program performance and evaluate outcomes. This work entails liaising with SBCEO staff, regional and national organizations, and promotores. Supporting the promotores includes providing in-depth thematic training, recruiting qualified promotores for specific tasks, providing relevant health and educational materials, and ensuring they are paid as independent contractors. I directly supervise regional coordinators, from selecting staff to assigning and monitoring work to setting performance standards and providing professional development. I collaborate with the CFRS Director, SBCEO fiscal department staff, and administrative staff to establish billing and reimbursement procedures for community partners seeking to work with promotores. Promotores’ activities are supported by over a dozen funding streams, from multiple federal grants (e.g., CDC, ARPA) to various local grants (e.g., Santa Barbara Foundation, Cottage Health). I am responsible for grant writing, management, and reporting. I actively initiate and participate in relevant committees, workgroups, meetings, conferences, and trainings, and act as spokesperson representing the interests of Health Linkages programs.
Current and upcoming collaborating organizations and projects include:
- Alpha Family Resource Center
Supporting families challenged by intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Partners for Vaccine Equity
Improving COVID prevention, vaccination, testing, and treatment access and uptake
- Cottage Health Center for Population Health
Assessing community health needs and increasing Spanish virtual care
- Foodbank of Santa Barbara County
Offering nutrition education and facilitating CalFresh (SNAP food stamp) enrollment
- Fund for Santa Barbara
Equipping agricultural workers with knowledge of their pre- and post-natal rights
- Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District
Building awareness of wildfire smoke texting and website
- Santa Barbara County Education Office Partners in Education
Connecting families with access to digital tools, connectivity, TA, and resources
- Santa Barbara County Education Office Early Care and Education
Increasing car seat safety
- Santa Barbara County Department of Behavior Wellness
Providing digital/technology education and resources to recent/expecting mothers
- Santa Barbara County Department of Behavior Wellness
Facilitating health navigation and stressbuster resilience for emotional wellbeing
- Santa Barbara County Planning & Development Long Range Planning
Long range planning for climate change, environmental justice, and housing
- Santa Barbara County Resource Recovery & Waste Management Division
Increasing residential composting and sustainable waste management
- Santa Barbara Foundation
Developing community health worker/promotores and health navigator workforces
- Santa Barbara County Public Health Department
Preventing tobacco use, promoting cessation, reducing secondhand smoke
- Savie Health
Encouraging telehealth primary, behavioral, and psychiatric care in uninsured