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San Diego
3955 Bonita Rd. Bldg. A First Floor Bonita, CA 91902 (619)409-6417

Imperial Valley
2695 S. 4th St.
El Cerrito, CA
91902
(760)337-5019

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Welcome Back Center (WBC)?

2. What services are offered at the Welcome Back Center?

3. Am I eligible for these services?

4. How can I participate in the Welcome Back Center?

5. Does the Welcome Back Center assist all health professionals?

6. Do I need a work permit to be a participant of the Welcome Back Center?

7. Does the Center offer educational scholarships?

8. Does the Welcome Back Center offer professional licenses?

9. Does the Welcome Back Center offer job placement?

10. If my English-speaking skills are a challenge for me, is an interpreter available?

11. As an eligible participant, what is the first step in the process?

12. When I meet with the Educational Case Manager, what will I need to bring?

13. Can you put me in touch with others going through the same process?

14. Are there other Welcome Back Centers?


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.

 

 


The San Diego Welcome Back Center is funded by The California Endowment; HRSA; The California Wellness Foundation and is hosted by Grossmont College.
Contents of this site are copyrighted to the San Diego Welcome Back Center, 2006.
Disclaimer: Information provided within this site is only an overview. All programs, processes, and/or fees are subject to change. Please verify information with appropriate agencies or governing bodies.