The California Department of Public Health will award approximately 15 communities across the geographically diverse areas of California to support the hiring, training and mentoring of peer Health Ambassadors for people experiencing homelessness. Applications were due on July 20, 2022, and awards are forthcoming. Future Health Ambassadors are people with current or recent experiences of homelessness, who will do boots-on-the-ground outreach to connect people to COVID-19 testing, vaccinations, treatment and other important health information and services. Health Ambassadors will also offer peer support and share real-world experiences and personal motivations for getting vaccines. This will not only help organizations to stay deeply connected to communities experiencing homelessness, but also offer people with lived experience full-time, long-term, or flexible job opportunities that are paid at a fair, livable wage.
Visit The Center at Sierra Foundation webpage to learn more about the Health Ambassadors of People Experiencing Homelessness Program.