Individual Programs Focused on Community Health and Wellness
El Sol’s success in community health and wellness is based on the integration the CHW/Promotor model in all its strategies.
El Sol's Individual-level Strategic Directions for Community Wellness
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
El Sol’s focus is on measurable changes in knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and skills. Each program addresses chronic disease prevention, management, and education (e.g. Asthma, Mental Health, Depression in Older Adults, Cardiovascular Health, Diabetes, Obesity, etc.).
Reto Vida Plena
To support you in your weight loss, Loma Linda University offers you this new program based on a new study if you meet the following criteria:
- You are Latino or Hispanic
- You are more than 30 to 50 pounds overweight
- You don’t have diabetes
This program offers once a month visits with a doctor, nutrition and stress management classes in Spanish, in-person and virtual support groups, and more. It is completely free, and space is limited. If you are interested, you could register by calling (909) 884-3735 or (909) 300-5066 or click below for more information.
Diabetes Prevention and Self-Management
- At baseline, 202 participants received the hemoglobin A1c test. Of these 46.5% (n=94) were had a normal diabetes status, 40.1% (n=81) were prediabetic, and 13.4 (n=27) were diabetic. Most of these participants were 35+years/old.
- On average participants (n=130) had a lower hemoglobin A1c after attending the diabetes education classes (M=5.931. SE=0.1283), than before the intervention (M=6.126, SE=0.0994, t(129)=2.79, p<0.05, r = 0.24). This difference is both clinically and statistically significant.
Asthma Education, Prevention and Management:
- 15,124 Outreach Contacts
- 7,982 Screenings and 813 Children
- 25 Puppet Shows
- 1064 home visit contact with asthma action plan
- 84% high-risk community member were referred to health professional
- 61 Organization collaborate
Cardiovascular Health:
- 26% of participants with BMI > 25 reduced their BMI by at least one point (n=176).
- 54% of participants with a pre-existing diagnosis of hypertension (BP > 140/90) finished the grant year with BP < 140/90 (n=175).
- Total cholesterol decreased from 198 at baseline to 190 at follow-up (n=176).
- Triglyceride levels decreased from 170 at baseline to 165 at follow-up (n=176).
- Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) decreased from 110 at baseline to 105 at follow-up (n=151).
- 11% of participants with baseline BMI > 25 lost 10 pounds or more and 24% of participants with baseline BMI > 25 lost five pounds or more (n=176)
Healthy eating and active living:
- Program reached 2,368 participants and 90% of participants reported engaging in beneficial behaviors after intervention.
- Participants reported significant behavioral changes in areas such as drinking less sugary drinks, eating more fruits and vegetables, being more physically active, speaking to family about healthy groceries, and drinking more water.
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
El Sol’s focus is on measurable changes in knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and skills. Each program addresses chronic disease prevention, management, and education (e.g. Asthma, Mental Health, Depression in Older Adults, Cardiovascular Health, Diabetes, Obesity, etc.).
Reto Vida Plena
To support you in your weight loss, Loma Linda University offers you this new program based on a new study if you meet the following criteria:
- You are Latino or Hispanic
- You are more than 30 to 50 pounds overweight
- You don’t have diabetes

Diabetes Prevention and Self-Management
- At baseline, 202 participants received the hemoglobin A1c test. Of these 46.5% (n=94) were had a normal diabetes status, 40.1% (n=81) were prediabetic, and 13.4 (n=27) were diabetic. Most of these participants were 35+years/old.
- On average participants (n=130) had a lower hemoglobin A1c after attending the diabetes education classes (M=5.931. SE=0.1283), than before the intervention (M=6.126, SE=0.0994, t(129)=2.79, p<0.05, r = 0.24). This difference is both clinically and statistically significant.

Asthma Education, Prevention and Management:
- 15,124 Outreach Contacts
- 7,982 Screenings and 813 Children
- 25 Puppet Shows
- 1064 home visit contact with asthma action plan
- 84% high-risk community member were referred to health professional
- 61 Organization collaborate

Cardiovascular Health:
- 26% of participants with BMI > 25 reduced their BMI by at least one point (n=176).
- 54% of participants with a pre-existing diagnosis of hypertension (BP > 140/90) finished the grant year with BP < 140/90 (n=175).
- Total cholesterol decreased from 198 at baseline to 190 at follow-up (n=176).
- Triglyceride levels decreased from 170 at baseline to 165 at follow-up (n=176).
- Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) decreased from 110 at baseline to 105 at follow-up (n=151).
- 11% of participants with baseline BMI > 25 lost 10 pounds or more and 24% of participants with baseline BMI > 25 lost five pounds or more (n=176)

Healthy eating and active living:
- Program reached 2,368 participants and 90% of participants reported engaging in beneficial behaviors after intervention.
- Participants reported significant behavioral changes in areas such as drinking less sugary drinks, eating more fruits and vegetables, being more physically active, speaking to family about healthy groceries, and drinking more water.
Strengthening Families
In this strategic direction, the family is the unit of analysis. El Sol aims to strengthen and support families to develop the necessary skills to improve social and health outcomes.
Maternal Infant and Early Childhood:
- 230 families enrolled in program
- 92 percent of mothers were breastfeeding at the hospital
- 75 percent were still breastfeeding 2 weeks postpartum
- 53 percent were breastfeeding at 6 weeks postpartum
Early Childhood Education and School Readiness
- 93% of Participants reported change in attitudes towards early childhood education, pregnancy, mother child bonding-attachments, and parenting
- Child Behavior Traits improved from 63% to 81% (CBT predicts school performance)
Nurturing Parenting and Home Visitation:
- 98% of participants increased scores from high risk to low risk in the Adult Adolescent Parenting Inventory
- 78% of participants moved from 27% to 92% in parental empathy towards Children’s needs
- 91% of participants reported 28% of increased in social interactions and home environment knowledge
Strengthening Families
In this strategic direction, the family is the unit of analysis. El Sol aims to strengthen and support families to develop the necessary skills to improve social and health outcomes.

Maternal Infant and Early Childhood:
- 230 families enrolled in program
- 92 percent of mothers were breastfeeding at the hospital
- 75 percent were still breastfeeding 2 weeks postpartum
- 53 percent were breastfeeding at 6 weeks postpartum

Early Childhood Education and School Readiness
- 93% of Participants reported change in attitudes towards early childhood education, pregnancy, mother child bonding-attachments, and parenting
- Child Behavior Traits improved from 63% to 81% (CBT predicts school performance)

Nurturing Parenting and Home Visitation:
- 98% of participants increased scores from high risk to low risk in the Adult Adolescent Parenting Inventory
- 78% of participants moved from 27% to 92% in parental empathy towards Children’s needs
- 91% of participants reported 28% of increased in social interactions and home environment knowledge
Advancing to Prosperity
El Sol recognizes that economic conditions are often the precursor or predictor of healthy individuals, families, and communities.
Financial Literacy:
- 877 people receive education at the Counsel of Mexico through weekly seminars, small group and individualized advice.
- 78% of the participants increased knowledge on the importance of financial education and economic empowerment.
Workforce Development:
- 3 % reduction of unemployment rates
- 7 % increase of salary among participants
- 7 % increase of Health Benefits
- 8 % reported job satisfaction
Affordable Housing:
- 3 houses have been developed for low income families
- 1328 volunteers’ hours rehabbing for low income families
- 218 successful referrals to housing assistance
- 80 workshops regarding rental control in California
Advancing to Prosperity
El Sol recognizes that economic conditions are often the precursor or predictor of healthy individuals, families, and communities.

Financial Literacy:
- 877 people receive education at the Counsel of Mexico through weekly seminars, small group and individualized advice.
- 78% of the participants increased knowledge on the importance of financial education and economic empowerment.

Workforce Development:
- 3 % reduction of unemployment rates
- 7 % increase of salary among participants
- 7 % increase of Health Benefits
- 8 % reported job satisfaction

Affordable Housing:
- 3 houses have been developed for low income families
- 1328 volunteers’ hours rehabbing for low income families
- 218 successful referrals to housing assistance
- 80 workshops regarding rental control in California
Emotional Health
Mental health affects function of individuals and ability to lead healthy lives. Consequently, El Sol seeks to address factors that influence mental, emotional, and behavioral health.
Maternal and Infant Mental health program:
- Depression symptoms decreased significantly for 132 women
- A CES-D score of 16 and above indicates clinically meaningful depression symptoms experienced by participants
- Baseline CES-D average score of 21.80 was observed
- Post- program average of 10.94 by the conclusion of the program
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault:
- 67% of participants totally agreed that the presentations made them feel more comfortable in talking about domestic violence problems and solutions
- 25% agreed that presentations made them more comfortable to discuss domestic violence problems
- 65% totally agreed and 25 agreed that they would use mental health services if necessary
Youth Mental Health:
- 5% felt they need to talk with someone about mental health issues: all the time, most of the time, and more than half of the time, combined
- 1% of participants reported feeling either very comfortable (41.2%) or comfortable (29.9) seeking mental health care after the CHWs intervention
Advance Late-life Depression Care:
- 150 older adults with depression living in poverty, average age 73 years old and 85% Latinos
- 91% lowered PHQ-9 Score by half or more
- 80% addressed average 5 social needs areas
Emotional Health
Mental health affects function of individuals and ability to lead healthy lives. Consequently, El Sol seeks to address factors that influence mental, emotional, and behavioral health.

Maternal and Infant Mental health program:
- Depression symptoms decreased significantly for 132 women
- A CES-D score of 16 and above indicates clinically meaningful depression symptoms experienced by participants
- Baseline CES-D average score of 21.80 was observed
- Post- program average of 10.94 by the conclusion of the program

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault:
- 67% of participants totally agreed that the presentations made them feel more comfortable in talking about domestic violence problems and solutions
- 25% agreed that presentations made them more comfortable to discuss domestic violence problems
- 65% totally agreed and 25 agreed that they would use mental health services if necessary

Youth Mental Health:
- 5% felt they need to talk with someone about mental health issues: all the time, most of the time, and more than half of the time, combined
- 1% of participants reported feeling either very comfortable (41.2%) or comfortable (29.9) seeking mental health care after the CHWs intervention

Advance Late-life Depression Care:
- 150 older adults with depression living in poverty, average age 73 years old and 85% Latinos
- 91% lowered PHQ-9 Score by half or more
- 80% addressed average 5 social needs areas
Outreach and Connections
El Sol is often called to engage “hard to reach” populations, either because of low-income status, language barriers, or other characteristics.
Emergency Preparedness:
- 138,380 residents have received emergency preparedness information in partnership with 6 Community Base Organizations
- 13,800 people educated on preparedness
- 201 participants have completed the Train the Trainers modules
Health Access and Enrollment:
- 27780 people were reached throughout outreach strategies
- 8730 People were educated on the importance of Health Access
- 873 people received assistance on application for medical enrollments
2020 Census:
- 1,800 pledge cards were collected
- 12,500 peopled were reached throughout impressions
- 300 people educated throughout the state Master Curriculum
Outreach and Connections
El Sol is often called to engage “hard to reach” populations, either because of low-income status, language barriers, or other characteristics.

Emergency Preparedness:
- 138,380 residents have received emergency preparedness information in partnership with 6 Community Base Organizations
- 13,800 people educated on preparedness
- 201 participants have completed the Train the Trainers modules

Health Access and Enrollment:
- 27780 people were reached throughout outreach strategies
- 8730 People were educated on the importance of Health Access
- 873 people received assistance on application for medical enrollments

2020 Census:
- 1,800 pledge cards were collected
- 12,500 peopled were reached throughout impressions
- 300 people educated throughout the state Master Curriculum