Public Health

Health Disparities

Overview

The Health Disparities Program works with local partnering agencies to have Community Health Workers (CHWs) help our underserved communities throughout Fresno County.
CHWs help community residents by connecting them to needed resources. For example, CHWs meet with residents 1-on-1 to help them find a doctor, get health insurance, find a ride, get a job, and/or get help with mental health or family planning.
CHWs provide health education materials that are easy to understand and fit the language and culture of the communities they serve (CLAS: Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services).
- For more information about our Free CLAS Training click here.

Partnering CHW Agencies

Aria Community Health Center - Riverdale

Centro Binacional para el Desarrollo Indígena Oaxaqueño

Fresno HOPE
Fresno HOPE HUB was considered an emerging hub by the California Health Care Foundation, click here to view the report.*

How to become a CHW?

CHWs come from many backgrounds and are trusted members of our communities. Many have completed higher education and/or gained extensive training and work experience. Those working within the Health Disparities program have completed their CHW Core training in collaboration with Fresno State's Central Valley Health Policy Institute (CVHPI). They also meet the training standards set by the C3 Project, also called National C3 Council. Some of the roles and skills listed by C3 include the following:

-Advocating for Individuals and Communities
-Care Coordination, Case Management, and System Navigation
-Conducting Outreach
-Cultural Mediation Among Individuals, Communities, and Health and Social Service Systems
-Implementing Individual and Community Assessments
-Providing Coaching and Social Support
-Providing Culturally Appropriate Health Education and Information
-Providing Direct Services

Where can you find a CHW?

CHWs provide outreach and services to community members throughout Fresno County. They work in many communities, including the City of Fresno, Huron, Caruthers, Riverdale, Kerman, Mendota, Sanger, Del Rey, Parlier, Reedley, Orange Cove, and Selma. They also support Fresno County's Mobile Health events. These events bring free medical services through mobile health units to agricultural workers and people living in rural communities.

Health Disparities Newsletter

The Health Disparities Newsletter is sent by email each month to our community partners and organizations. It shares health awareness topics, health education materials, and community resources. If you would like to be added to the email list, please contact CHWNetwork@fresnocountyca.gov.

2026 Newsletters (click to view):

January

February

Join our CHW Stakeholder Collaborative!

Join our Community Health Worker (CHW) Stakeholder Collaborative!

Meetings take place every third Tuesday quarterly from 9am-10am. If you are interested in attending our next meeting, please contact CHWNetwork@fresnocountyca.gov.

2026 Meeting Dates:
January 20, 2026
April 21, 2026
July 21, 2026
October 20, 2026

CHW Network Referral Form

We are accepting referrals for clients who will benefit from our CHW services. Click the image below to access the CHW Network Referral Form. Please allow 3-5 business days for your referral to be processed. Thank you!