{"id":238,"date":"2025-10-12T10:55:40","date_gmt":"2025-10-12T16:55:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/latinxvoces.org\/summit\/?p=238"},"modified":"2025-10-28T10:47:24","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T16:47:24","slug":"community-engagement-program-design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/latinxvoces.org\/summit\/schedule\/workshop\/community-engagement-program-design\/","title":{"rendered":"Community Engagement & Program Design"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Session 2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Community engagement is at the heart of effective program design, particularly as new competencies and standards for CHWs and promotores shape how organizations plan for the future. Yet many programs still fall short in building authentic trust, integrating community voices, and aligning with federal and local changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This workshop introduces participants to foundational and practical approaches for designing programs that reflect authentic community engagement. Participants will explore the role of CHWs\/promotores in shaping health initiatives, learn how to apply structured tools such as logic models and design thinking, and discuss strategies for sustaining trust with Latino and other underserved communities. Through a mix of lecture, real-world case studies, and short interactive activities, participants will walk away with concrete steps for strengthening both engagement and design in their work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Learning Objectives<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Define authentic community engagement and why it is essential for health program design.
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  2. Describe the role of CHWs\/promotores in shaping programs and policies, including new competencies for 2026.
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  3. Identify at least two steps for co-designing programs with community input.
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  4. Apply basic elements of logic models or design thinking to program planning.
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  5. Recognize strategies for gaining and sustaining trust with Latino communities.
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  6. Discuss real-world case studies that illustrate effective engagement and program design.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Facilitator<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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    \"Marlen
    Marlen Ramirez \u2013 Award-Winning Community Health Leader and Advocate for Health Equity<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Marlen Ramirez<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Founder,
    Better Futures Forever<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    Marlen is a passionate advocate for health promotion and health equity,
    evidenced by her work with Community Health Workers and the development
    of community health programs. As a Community Health Worker, Marlen has
    served as a navigator, connecting individuals to public health resources and
    helping them make informed medical decisions. As a Community Health Worker
    Instructor, she has significantly improved health education in the communities
    she serves. In 2016, she launched Better Futures Forever, a health education
    training center for Community Health Workers and healthcare professionals.
    Better Futures Forever has trained organizations across the country and is
    family-operated under Marlen\u2019s leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Marlen has been recognized for her work in adolescent health by the Texas
    Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancies, receiving the David C. Willey Award
    in 2018, and in 2023, when she was awarded the Outstanding Former Young
    Parent Award by the Health Teen Network for being a former young parent who
    has risen to the challenges of early parenting, achieved extraordinary personal
    and\/or professional success, and demonstrated phenomenal leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Through her work, Marlen aims to continue to improve the health and well-being
    of children and families, with a particular focus on vulnerable populations.
    Currently, Marlen continues to serve as a CHW, a CHWI, a project
    administrator, and a community health outreach specialist. Better Futures
    Forever continues to be part of her family\u2019s legacy as it is fully family-operated
    and continues to make an impact in community health education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In addition to her CHW and CHWI certifications, Marlen also holds a bachelor\u2019s
    degree in social sciences from Sul Ross State University.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    Resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n