With funding from the California Workforce Development Board through its High Road Training Partnership program, Goodwin Simon Strategic Research conducted an independent statewide survey of employees working in Federally Qualified Healthcare Centers (FQHCs)—community-based clinics that provide health services to the most vulnerable populations regardless of ability to pay.
A key principle of the California’s High Road initiative is including “worker voice” to inform what is needed in an industry and evaluate what is most effective from workers’ perspectives. This survey was undertaken to ascertain worker’s views, concerns, and potential solutions for challenges facing the community clinic healthcare sector in California. It is a component of the HRTP Resilient Workforce grant awarded to the Shirley Ware Education Center and addresses, in particular, the ability of FQHCs to sustain High Road wages and benefits.
The survey was conducted in September/October 2025. Findings are based on responses from 303 employees who work in non-profit, community-based health centers across the state, including unionized and non-unionized health centers, representing a range of healthcare occupations, demographic diversity, and tenure in workers’ jobs.
