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What is the Welcome Back
Center?
The Welcome Back Centers are a result of the State of California's
statewide initiative "to build a bridge between the pool of
internationally trained health workers living in California and the need for
linguistically and culturally competent health services in underserved
communities." In other words, the goal of this exciting program is to
assist health professionals from all over the world, who have come to the United States
and have not been able to exercise their professions.
To accomplish this goal, the Welcome
Back Center
is funded through a grant from The California Endowment.
What services
are offered at the Welcome
Back Center?
Each Welcome Back Center
provides orientation, counseling, and support to internationally trained
health workers. The Welcome
Back Center
assists each participant in developing a career path plan that builds on
each participant's skills, experience, and education. In addition to
orientation and support in obtaining the appropriate professional
credentials and licenses for their profession, participants are presented
with other options or alternatives to consider. These options may include
choosing a different health occupation offered through a Community College
or State University or focusing their skills
and experience in the areas of health care management, research, advocacy,
or policy.
Am I eligible
for these services?
All foreign-trained health workers currently living in California are eligible for the program.
If a potential participant lives closer to another Welcome Back
Center, he/she is
encouraged to contact that center directly (see Question 14 for list of
Welcome Back Centers). The program does not have the capacity to serve
persons living outside of California.
Persons living outside the United
States are not eligible for the program.
How can I
participate in the Welcome
Back Center?
Call your nearest California center (San Francisco or San Diego).
Does the Welcome Back Center
assist all health professionals?
Yes. The Center provides services to all eligible health professionals.
This includes nurses, pharmacists, doctors, speech therapists, occupational
therapists, laboratory and other technicians, psychologists, dentists,
social workers, health educators, and others.
Do
I need a work permit to be a participant of the Welcome Back
Center?
Everyone is welcome to participate in each of the Welcome Back Centers.
Each Center shares any knowledge and information they have about work
permits or employer-based "sponsorships"; however, they do not
have any influence or means to procure these for participants. The Center
has a list of agencies which offer advice/services on immigration status
matters.
Does the Center
offer educational scholarships?
No. The Centers do not receive funding to provide educational scholarships;
however, a Welcome Back Educational Case Manager helps to link participants
to college and universities and their financial aid offices. Click Here to go
to a good resource for Minority for Scholarships, Fellowships and
Postdoctoral Awards in Medicine, Public Health and Related Fields.
Does the Welcome Back Center
offer professional licenses?
No. Each participant will have to follow existing licensing procedures for
their associated profession. Each Center provides orientation about the
existing licensing procedures. (In some instances, each Center will
purchase license exam preparation materials to share with participants.)
Does the Welcome Back Center
offer job placement?
The Welcome Back Center does not directly find jobs for participants; however we do provide assistance in finding employment and a job
announcement binder will be available to share information with
participants about job opportunities upon notification by potential
employers and other agencies.
If my
English-speaking skills are a challenge for me, is an interpreter be
available to assist me at the Welcome
Back Center?
Welcome Back Center
staff members communicate in several languages. We will do our best to
provide interpreter assistance and/or resources on an individual
case-by-case basis.
As an eligible
participant, what is the first step in the process?
There is an initial telephone interview by a Welcome Back
Center
representative. After the initial telephone interview, an appointment is
set up for you to meet with the Educational Case Manager. The Educational
Case Manager will meet with you to discuss your educational and
professional experience. The case manager will offer information and
provide guidance about licensing requirements, credential validation
agencies, schools, and associated courses (including English language
skills courses). With the assistance of the case manager, you will develop
a career path plan with the goal of practicing your profession or finding
an alternative career in the health field.
When I meet with the Educational
Case Manager, what will I need to bring with me?
You will want to bring copies of your diploma(s) and transcripts, as well
as copies of other certifications and/or licenses. If you have a
professional résumé showing your work experience in your health profession,
please bring it to your scheduled appointment.
Will the Welcome Back Center
put me in touch with other health professionals going through the same
process?
Yes. Each Welcome
Back Center
has developed group workshops and activities, and general information
meetings to serve as peer support groups by profession.
Are there other
Welcome Back Centers?
Yes, the following link will give you information on other centers:
Welcome Back Initiative
DISCLAIMER:
The Welcome Back Program does not have the capacity to respond to inquiries
outside of the United
States.
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