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Below
you will find Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Welcome Back
Center. Please take the time to review some of these questions,
and find out a little bit more about our center. For more detailed
information, or for more specific answers to your specific questions,
please contact the Welcome Back Center
and scedule an appointment with a Case Manager. |
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Frequently
Asked Questions |
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, Los Angeles
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?
No. The Centers do not directly find jobs for participants; however,
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 in California?
There are currently three Welcome Back Centers in the State of California:
San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. If you live in California,but
do not live in the San Diego area, feel free to direct your inquiries
in writing to one of the other centers:
San Francisco Center
City College of San Francisco
John Adams Campus
1860 Hayes Street
San Francisco, CA 94117-1220
Los Angeles
Center
Mount San Antonio College
1100 North Grand Avenue, Building 35
Walnut, CA 91789
San Diego Center
3955 Bonita Road, Building A, First Floor
Bonita, CA 91902
DISCLAIMER:
The Welcome Back Program does not have the capacity to respond to
inquiries outside of the United States.
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