WHEREAS, The delivery of health care is often constrained by issues of access and outreach to individuals and their families; and

WHEREAS, Barriers to accessing quality health care and mental health care services include financial barriers, being uninsured or underinsured, geographical issues such as residing in medically underserved communities, fragmentation of health care services, poor outreach to and education of vulnerable communities, language barriers, and a lack of diversity and cultural competency in the health care workforce; and

WHEREAS, For hundreds of years, Promotoras and community health workers have been fighting the effects of catastrophic epidemics, inequalities, and injustices; and

WHEREAS, Promotoras, also known as community health workers, peer leaders, or health advocates, serve as cultural brokers who provide a unique understanding of the cultures they serve, serving as a bridge between the community and the public health care delivery system and providing education and prevention information and resources in a manner that is culturally and linguistically appropriate. As the authentic voice of their community, Promotoras also connect governments and policymakers to people living in that community and are at the core of community transformation; and

WHEREAS, As a predominantly women-led workforce, Promotoras are trusted messengers and leaders in their communities, “puentes de la comunidad” (community bridges), and essential workers who know how to connect with under-resourced and traditionally underserved communities. Trusted by often marginalized community members who go to them for information, resources, and guidance, they share similar characteristics as the residents they serve and provide “servicio de corazón” (service from the heart). Paid and volunteer community workers, primarily associated with community-based organizations, their diverse job titles include peer educators, outreach workers, health advocates, and patient navigators who educate, empower, and advocate for community change in linguistically and culturally responsive ways; and

WHEREAS, Promotoras are paid employees, independent contractors, or volunteers who may receive a stipend for their work, and who may be associated with city and county health and human services and mental health agencies, nonprofit community-based organizations, health clinics, hospitals, schools, and community centers. Promotoras have demonstrated a significant level of impact in delivering health care education and services, particularly in maternal and child health and chronic disease prevention and management, including, but not limited to, asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and HIV/AIDS, throughout the continuum of life; and

WHEREAS, As highlighted in Visión y Compromiso’s “The Economic Impact of COVID-19 on the Promotora Workforce,” the Promotora workforce is critical as it attends to the needs of the most underserved communities, closing health gaps and addressing systemic health inequities. Furthermore, Promotoras’ cost-effective interventions not only enhance community well-being, but also result in substantial savings in health care expenditures; and

WHEREAS, In a time of mounting economic, political, and social challenges, Promotoras, both paid and volunteer, provide aid and support to those most in need at clinics, churches, workplaces, schools, parks, hospitals, farm fields, and in the neighborhoods where they live and raise their own families; and

WHEREAS, Visión y Compromiso has brought together thousands of individuals and hundreds of organizations in California united as one voice behind a vision of a dignified and healthy life for all, “Hacia Una Vida Digna y Sana,” and while growing in leadership and experience, and despite their heartfelt service and documented successes, Promotoras receive little recognition for their work and often face serious challenges accessing educational and employment training opportunities; now, therefore, be it