MISSION STATEMENT
To improve access to quality health care for underserved populations of California through academic community partnerships
WHAT IS THE CALIFORNIA STATEWIDE AHEC?
The California Statewide Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Program was established in 1972 to recruit, train and retain a health professions workforce committed to underserved communities. It brings together local resources, community-based organizations and academic institutions to improve access to and quality of health care for underrepresented populations across the state. With its partners, the AHEC program also develops a population-based approach to health professions education with a special emphasis on community-based training. The CA AHEC accomplishes its mission through its network of 13 regional AHEC centers, each an independent organization strategically located in an underserved area, affiliated with health professions schools and mainly hosted by community clinic consortia. The AHEC program is funded by California state initiatives and the federal government through the Bureau of Health Workforce, under the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
All 13 CA AHEC centers are diverse in their activities, with each one responding to the specific needs of the community it serves. Each center develops training programs with academic institutions to provide experiences within community clinics, health centers, county hospitals, simulation labs and community organizations for health professions students, residents and practicing health professionals. AHEC centers work with K-12 schools, community colleges and undergraduate programs to increase the diversity of future health professions workforce through career education, job shadowing, summer camps, internships and health clubs. Some AHEC centers work with national programs to provide post-baccalaureate and post-secondary students with community health experiences. AHECs are equipped to respond rapidly to changing health priorities such as emergency preparedness, veterans’ mental health, provider burnout and health insurance exchange education and enrollment.
PROGRAM GOALS
- Increase community-based health professions training programs
- Increase the diversity of California’s health workforce
- Strengthen collaboration and develop partnerships between institutions with similar missions
- Support communication between community and academic partners
- Record, study, and document outcomes
COMMON OBJECTIVES
- Continuing education programs for health professionals practicing in CHCs and other underserved areas
- Teaching health professionals students and residents to present health information to community members and clinic patients
- Community based clinical training for health professions students and residents
- Programs to expose high school students to college and career opportunities in the health professions
CORE VALUES
- Health: A skilled, well-distributed health workforce will improve the health of Californians.
- Education: Education improves individuals and communities.
- Community: Underserved communities have strengths and needs.
- Diversity: California’s diversity should be reflected in its health workforce.
- Collaboration: Collaboration of communities and academic institutions is essential to workforce improvement and distribution.
- Innovation: New ideas contribute to success.
PROJECT LINKS
California Statewide AHEC link: www.cal-ahec.org
California Public health Training Center link: http://www.cal-ahec.org/california-public-health-training-center/
