Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living Programs

Classes Offered:

• Yoga

• Zumba

• Zumba-Gold

• Zumbini

• Pilates

• Body Conditioning

• Balance & Stretching

• Gentle Yoga

• Yoga: Breathe & Renew

• Tai Chi

• Creative Movement

• Ballet

• Jazz

• Drumming

• Hip-Hop

The Case Management team at the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living (MHSCHL) is comprised of Bachelor level professionals who serve and help guide individuals throughout their journey to wellness.

The process of case management at the MHSCHL is based on assessment, evaluation, resource brokering, and follow-up. Our case management team paves the way for autonomy for our clients and activates our mission of connecting the most vulnerable of populations to invaluable resources when needed most. They serve as an endless data bank of resources and depict a true collaborative effort within MHSCHL, its partnering agencies, and beyond. Built on the model of a true “warm hand off,” case managers fortify strong partnerships within the community and are often the bridge in ensuring that no one falls through the cracks.

The American Public Health Association has adopted the following definition of a Promotor/ Community Health Worker (CHW): A community health worker is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an usually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the worker to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. A community health worker also builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support, and advocacy.

At the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living (MHSCHL), our Promotores work toward a shared goal: to elevate the community they serve. They are uniquely qualified and play a pivotal role in addressing the needs of the underserved Latino communities in our surrounding area. They are agents of change; leveraging their skill set with the MHSCHL’s collaborative model to maximize their impact. Our Promotores are the frontline of the MHSCHL and stay in pulse with community needs. Through their outreach efforts, they competently and compassionately seek out and receive the community with open and welcoming arms. This integral approach facilitates connection, demonstrates integrity, and is the foundation of this working relationship. You can see our Promotores out in the community sharing about our services door-to-door, at school functions, community events, home visits, and our identified priority area Oak View.

Master Level Students

Clinical internships are available for masters level students enrolled in an MSW Program.

In addition, internships are available for masters level students enrolled in an Master of Public Health (MPH) program.

Bachelor Level Students

Clinical internships are available for students enrolled in a bachelors level Social Work or Human Services Program.

In addition, internships are available for masters level students enrolled in an Master of Public Health (MPH) program.

Additional Internship Categories

The Center also offers a variety of other internship opportunities including:

• Internships for yoga therapy students from Be the Change Yoga

For more information regarding our existing internship opportunities or discuss the possibility of a new internship and collaboration, please contact: Miriam Bustamante, LCSW, PMH-C at Miriam.Bustamante@hoag.org or (949) 764-5394.

Professional Training Program

The Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living (MHSCHL) is accredited in accordance with the standards of the California Association of Marriage and Family therapist (CAMFT) Provider # 139248. The MHSCHL is accredited to provide CEU’s to LCSWs, LMFTs, LPCCs and LEPs. The MHSCHL is committed to contributing to the mission of providing a variety of continuing education opportunities geared towards the professional and personal developmental needs of its participants. The Professional development program will focus on educational excellence in instructors, courses and through its support services.

To learn more about the program, please contact: Esteban Juarez, LCSW, Esteban.Juarez@hoag.org or call (949) 764-5947.