Enhance Community Health Worker

Job Title: Enhanced Community Health Worker (ECHW)
Location: Orange, California
Employment Type: Full-time
Salary: $24.00 an hour
Date Posted: 9/15/2026
About the Role
The Enhanced Community Health Worker (ECHW) provides culturally responsive, community-based support to individuals with significant mental health and substance use needs enrolled in Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) and/or Drug Medi-Cal (DMC/DMC-ODS) programs. As part of California’s BH-CONNECT initiative, this role helps individuals overcome barriers to care, navigate complex systems, access community resources, and remain engaged in treatment and supportive services. The ECHW serves as a trusted connector between clients, providers, families, and community resources while promoting stability, wellness, and improved health outcomes.
Responsibilities
· Conduct outreach and engagement activities with individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges and complex social needs
· Build trusting relationships using culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and strengths-based approaches
· Support re-engagement efforts for individuals who have disconnected from services or are at risk of disengagement
· Provide education on mental health, substance use, wellness, and healthy lifestyle practices
· Assist individuals with self-management skills, goal setting, and health-related behavior changes
· Reinforce treatment plans and provider recommendations as directed by the treatment team
· Support clients in navigating healthcare, behavioral health, and social service systems
· Assist with appointment scheduling, transportation coordination, referrals, and follow-up activities
· Connect clients to housing, food assistance, benefits, employment resources, transportation, and other community services
· Identify and address barriers impacting access to care and community supports
· Conduct screenings and informal assessments to identify needs, strengths, and service gaps
· Advocate for clients and support access to appropriate services and resources
· Document services, interventions, and outcomes in the electronic health record according to Medi-Cal and organizational requirements
· Collaborate with clinicians, case managers, peer support specialists, medical providers, and other team members to coordinate care
· Participate in team meetings, case consultations, and care coordination activities
· Perform additional duties as assigned
Required Qualifications
· Demonstrated lived experience reflective of the populations served, including behavioral health, homelessness, justice involvement, recovery, or similar experiences
· Completion of a Community Health Worker certificate program or equivalent experience aligned with Community Health Worker competencies
· Strong communication, engagement, and relationship-building skills
· Knowledge of community-based resources and service systems
· Ability to work effectively with high-acuity and diverse populations
· Understanding of trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and person-centered care practices
· Basic computer skills and ability to utilize electronic health record systems
· Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and active automobile insurance if field-based travel is required
· Ability to complete required continuing education and training requirements
Preferred Qualifications
· One year or more of experience in community outreach, care coordination, case management, peer support, or behavioral health services
· Bilingual Spanish preferred
· Experience working in Full Service Partnership (FSP), ACT, crisis, or community-based behavioral health programs
· Knowledge of Medi-Cal, Specialty Mental Health Services, DMC/DMC-ODS, or county behavioral health systems
· Experience working with older adults, high utilizers of healthcare services, or individuals with complex behavioral health needs
Compensation & Benefits
Full-time Employees:
· Paid vacation days (increase with tenure)
· Separate sick leave that rolls over annually
· Paid holidays
· Medical, dental, and vision insurance options
· DailyPay – access your earnings without waiting for payday
· Training, development, and career growth opportunities
All Employees:
· 401(k)