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  • In the spirit of our mission to promote and support the work of all Health Access Assisters who help individuals, children, and families gain, use, and retain high quality health care and coverage, the National Association of Health Access Assisters offers the following member benefits

Steering Committee Members

Mark Diel
California Coverage and Health Initiatives
National Association of Health Access Assisters

As CEO of NAHAA and California Coverage and Health Initiatives (CCHI), Mark is responsible for the strategic and day-to-day management of NAHAA and its staff. Prior to leading NAHAA and CCHI, he spent 9 years as Executive Director and CEO of Children’s Health Initiative Napa County where he developed the first nonprofit insurance brokerage firm in California serving individuals and families. He built a county-wide collaborative of 42 agencies and guided Napa County into a leadership role at the state level, working to provide affordable health insurance to everyone in California, regardless of race, ethnicity, or family income. Prior to his work in Napa County, he managed public health programs in Yolo County, including the Women, Infants, and Children Program. He also developed mobile medical, dental, and optometric clinics based in schools and community centers, and a health promotora program in Los Angeles. Mark holds a Bachelor’s degree from the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and Master of Public Health degree from the University of Hawaii.

California Coverage & Health Initiatives (CCHI) is a statewide outreach and enrollment network, whose efforts ensure that all California’s families are able to easily and effectively navigate into health coverage and other health services. The association includes local outreach and enrollment organizations and Children’s/Community Health Initiatives (CHIs) in 44 counties across California, representing areas where 95% of the state’s population resides. Collectively, CCHI member and partner organizations have insured more than 167,000 previously uninsured children through locally funded and administered Healthy Kids programs. With firsthand experience and success enrolling children into public programs, such as Medi-Cal and Healthy Families the members of CCHI have shown that coverage for all children in California is a necessary goal and attainable goal.

 

Elba Gonzalez-Mares
Community Health Initiative, Napa County
CALIFORNIA

Elba has worked for Community Health Initiative, Napa County (CHI) since 2006. After graduating from UC Davis with a Bachelors Degree in International Relations, she came to work for CHI as one of the first Health Access Specialists and was one of the first CAAs in Napa County. Elba has advanced in her field and was promoted to Health Access Coordinator and then to Health Services Manager. Elba is bilingual in English and Spanish and volunteers her time with many other organizations. She is the current Board President of Puertas Abiertas Community Resource Center, Commission Member of the First 5 Napa County Children and Family Commission, works with Bi-National Health Alliance, and the Puente program at Napa Valley College.

Community Health Initiative, Napa County (CHI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to achieving 100% healthcare coverage for all of Napa County. Working with our community partners, CHI’s specially trained, bilingual/bicultural staff reaches out to families in Napa County who need information and assistance in enrolling in affordable health insurance plans. Just as importantly, our staff follows up with families to ensure they are using their coverage and staying enrolled.