County outlines first quarterly actions from Latino Health Assessment; plans for clinic expansion and community health workers

Santa Clara County officials presented the first quarterly implementation report on the Latino Health Assessment on Nov. 20, describing completed milestones and a work plan to expand access to care, strengthen data collection and scale community‑based health workers.

The county's administration and health partners said the report captures initial actions across public health, behavioral health, the Department of Family and Children Services, probation, supportive housing and Santa Clara Valley Healthcare. "What we bring you today is just the first quarterly report describing a subset of what has already happened," an administration presenter said, noting four memoranda from Santa Clara Valley Healthcare's Lorenz outlining system work.

Why it matters: the LHA was intended to identify disparities in health access and outcomes for Latino residents; officials said the implementation plan seeks to address those gaps through clinic investments, workforce supports and improvements to data collection so local policy and funding decisions can be better targeted.

Key details: county health leaders described plans to expand specialty services in South County by repurposing and growing services at the outpatient clinic on the Regional Medical Center campus, identified as Valley Health Center McKee. The presenter said the county is "bringing specialties to the campus of St. Louis Regional Hospital" including cardiology and women's health, and is exploring neighborhood 'satellite' clinics that could operate at federally qualified health center rates.

On maternal care, the health‑system speaker said the county is committed to maintaining labor‑and‑delivery services at St. Louis Regional Hospital despite low volume, and is working with medical staff to inform patients that "it is okay and it is safe to deliver at Saint Louis Regional Hospital." The county cited current averages of roughly 30 deliveries per month at that hospital and said expanding utilization could increase volume but would remain a low‑volume service compared with larger centers.

Emergency capacity: presenters said ER volume at St. Louis Regional has grown about 40% since acquisition. As a long‑term expansion requires design and state approval, the county purchased custom portable modular emergency‑department units as an interim solution to increase capacity. Officials described the modulars as "multimillion dollar custom built portable emergency departments" intended to bridge the gap until a permanent capital project can be approved.

Community health workers and promotores: staff and supervisors emphasized sustaining promotores models and removing policy barriers that inhibit their work. The Public Health Department said it convened a design team and will bring promotores back in spring with policy and program recommendations focused on sustainability.

Data policy: administration staff described a county policy being drafted to standardize demographic data collection and align with recent federal guidance, including improved capture of Latino identity, sexual orientation and gender identity. The draft policy is expected to be finalized for rollout in 2026.

Action taken: the Children, Seniors and Families Committee voted to receive the report. Vice Chair Young and Chair Sylvia Arenas recorded yes votes on the motion to receive the report.

What's next: staff said they will return with more detailed timelines, outreach plans (including an anticipated first‑quarter open house for the McKee Clinic) and promotores recommendations in spring.