Understanding Community Health Workers/Promotores/Representatives, Doulas, and Peer Support Specialists in Medi-Cal

Authors: Sunshine Moore

Community health workers (CHWs), doulas, and peer support specialists (PSSs) play a key role in improving health and reducing health gaps. Though they have worked in communities for years, Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program) has recently started covering their services. This summary explains who they are, how their roles are similar or different, and what services they provide. CHWs include promotores, community health reps, and others who support people with managing health issues and navigating the system, using their shared life experience to connect with the communities they serve.