Blue Shield Promise and LA Care health plans support economic mobility and career development through new SheWorks program
LONG BEACH, California, February 27, 2026 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan and LA Care Health Plan today announced their joint collaboration with the California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute to support SheWorks California, the institute’s new transformative workforce development program that helps Black women in Los Angeles County secure stable, well-paying careers.
Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan y L.A. Care Health Plan colaboran con el California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute para apoyar el programa SheWorks California.
Designed for Black women who are underemployed, unemployed, or rebuilding their lives after incarceration, SheWorks provides comprehensive job readiness training, individualized career development, and comprehensive support services that help eliminate common barriers to career advancement.
This year’s program launched in January with about 30 participants at the LA Care and Blue Shield Promise Community Resource Center in Long Beach. Monthly sessions continue through May, including the next workshop on Saturday, February 28, 2026, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.which will feature an interactive workshop focused on career exploration, job applications, and interview role-playing.
During the five months, participants will receive training in digital skills, interview preparation, resume writing, leadership, communication and financial education. They will also gain access to mentorship from Black women professionals and connections to potential employers.
The program also provides childcare and transportation stipends, including rideshare credits, allowing participants to fully engage in the experience.
Finding strength and support through SheWorks
For Inglewood resident Marsha Cole, the program came at a crucial time. After losing her father and her job in a short period of time, she stated that she felt overwhelmed and unsure of her path forward.
“I was always the person others relied on to find solutions,” Cole said. “After my father passed away, the well was empty. I realized that the Marsha who once had all the answers no longer had one for herself.”
Cole left the January session with feelings of renewal and hope, with a possible employment referral and timely transportation assistance after his car broke down.
From training to local jobs
“SheWorks is more than a path to employment, it is an engine of possibility,” said Kellie Todd Griffin, president and CEO of the California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute. “We create spaces where Black women can build meaningful careers, access opportunities, and lead with dignity and purpose. Rooted in the community, SheWorks represents a powerful model for economic mobility, helping women move from simply surviving to truly thriving in California’s workforce.”
Todd Griffin emphasized that more than 300,000 Black women nationwide have faced job loss in recent years, highlighting the need for workforce models that directly address and support this population.
More than 150 inquiries and 46 official applications were received for the first group, and each applicant participated in a personal interview. The class of 2026 represents a diverse cross-section of women from Long Beach and surrounding communities, returning to work after career breaks, moving from service roles to administrative careers, or seeking stability after unstable jobs despite their wealth of talent and experience.
Throughout the program, participants are invited to join SheWorks Connect, a webinar series with local employers discussing job openings, apprenticeships and long-term career paths.
Following graduation, participants will receive support through career webinars and job placement assistance, ensuring sustained access to resources that promote professional and economic growth. SheWorks also partnered with Long Beach area employers to connect participants with potential entry-level opportunities.
A relationship focused on the well-being of the community
Blue Shield Promise and LA Care operate 14 Community Resource Centers throughout Los Angeles County, offering free fitness and nutrition classes, social services and health education to members and the community. These centers play a crucial role in programs like SheWorks, supporting the health and well-being of the community and ensuring women have a safe and supportive environment to learn, connect and thrive.
“By opening the doors of LA Care and Blue Shield Promise’s Community Resource Centers in Long Beach to SheWorks, we are helping to create pathways that empower women to care for their health and advance their careers in their own neighborhoods,” said Jennifer Schirmer, vice president of Medi-Cal Growth for Blue Shield Promise. “This collaboration reflects our commitment to reaching people where they are and removing barriers to opportunity.”
“Economic stability is a powerful driver of health,” said Charlie Robinson, director of health equity and chief community health officer at LA Care. “Programs like SheWorks recognize that supporting women’s career goals also strengthens families and neighborhoods. When women have the tools to build sustainable futures, the effects extend far beyond the workplace and impact the overall well-being of our communities.”
Additional SheWorks groups are being planned for later this year at Community Resource Centers in South Los Angeles and Inglewood.
For more information about SheWorks, click here. To find your nearest Community Resource Center, visit the Community Resource Centers website. For more information about Blue Shield Promise, click here.
Acerca de Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan
Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan is a managed care organization, wholly owned by Blue Shield of California, that offers the Managed Medi-Cal program. This organization is led by healthcare professionals with a “members first” philosophy and is committed to supporting a network of quality providers and collaborating with community organizations. We serve approximately 580,000 members in Los Angeles and San Diego counties. It also earned a rating of 4 out of 5 in NCQA’s 2024 Medicaid Health Plan Ratings. For more information about Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, visit www.blueshieldca.com/promise. For more information about Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, visit promisenews.blueshieldca.com. Or follow us on LinkedIn.
About LA Care Health Plan
LA Care Health Plan is the largest health plan in Los Angeles County, serving more than one in four Angelenos. It is also the largest public plan in the country. LA Care offers four health coverage plans including Medi-Cal, LA Care Covered™, LA Care Medicare Plus and PASC-SEIU Homecare Workers Health Care Plan, all dedicated to accountability and responsibility to members. As a public entity, LA Care’s mission is to provide access to quality health care to low-income communities in Los Angeles County and to support the safety net necessary to achieve that purpose. LA Care prioritizes quality, access and inclusion, advancing healthcare for all of Los Angeles County. For more information, follow us on XFacebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
Acerca del California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute
The California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the social, political, and economic empowerment of Black women and girls throughout California. Through research, policy advocacy, and leadership development, CABWCEI works to dismantle systemic barriers and create pathways to success for Black women at all levels.
Media Contacts:
Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan
Juliane Matignas
(510) 607-2359
[email protected]
L.A. Care Health Plan
Mayra Suarez
(408) 476-3512
[email protected]
California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute
Keshia Sexton
(310) 347-9165
[email protected]
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FUENTE Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan
