Central Oregon Community College (COCC) is hosting the second annual Community Health Workforce Summit, Oct. 18-19, at the Bend campus, a free event designed to support community health professionals, from behavioral and traditional health workers to social workers and primary care providers. The summit facilitates access to resources, mentorship and training opportunities. Visit cocc.edu to register and learn more; space is limited.
The Community Health Workforce Summit is sponsored by PacificSource Health Plans, in partnership with COCC, East Cascades Works and the Oregon Health Authority. Participants can submit professional development participation to meet continuing education requirements, with content approved by the National Association of Social Workers and topics aligning with Oregon Traditional Health Worker competencies.
Intended for traditional health workers and those who advocate for patients through culturally appropriate support and education, the event will feature breakout sessions, keynote speakers and networking opportunities, with more than 25 professionals slated to present as part of the two-day program. Speakers include experts from the Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Office of Rural Health and Deschutes County Health Services, among other agencies. Friday’s schedule is from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday’s schedule is from 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
“We’re shining a spotlight on the traditional health workforce across various fields, including behavioral health, community-based organizations, Tribal health and primary health,” said Dr. Sarah Baron, assistant professor of public health at COCC and a member of Oregon’s Traditional Health Worker Commission. “And we’re including topics like meditation and yoga as complementary alternative approaches.”
Among its public health training programs, COCC offers a one-year certificate in community health, intended to provide job-ready skills in just three terms. Community health certificate courses can also be applied to an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degree, with a focus on public health.
In advance of college events, persons needing accommodation or transportation because of a physical or mobility disability should contact Caitlyn Gardner at 541-383-7237. For accommodation because of other disability, such as hearing impairment, contact disability services at 541-383-7583.
