The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #42069

Sandra K. Hopper, MSN, College of Integrated Science & Technology, Virginia Center for Health Outreach at James Madison University, MSC 4001, Harrisonburg, VA 22807, 540-568-6850, hoppersk@jmu.edu and Ellen M. Dawson, PhD, College of Nursing and Health Science, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444.

The Virginia Center for Health Outreach (VCHO) is a federally funded initiative to support and advocate for community health outreach workers (CHWs) in Virginia. In 2002, VCHO conducted twelve regional focus groups of community health workers from a diversity of programs and geographic locations across Virginia. The goal of this research was to identify the support and resources that CHWs want and need and to learn how VCHO can best help community health workers achieve their goals and objectives. The groups gave participants the opportunity to tell their stories in their own voices. Speaking out brought them together and developed a mutual recognition of their value and concerns. CHWs also gained a sense of empowerment by networking for the first time across programs within regions. In every focus group CHWs realized that, by working together, they had the ability to help each other and to solve mutual problems. The Center utilizes focus group findings to guide policy, acitivity, and program development including a state conference, planning education opportunities, and establishing state and regional CHW networks. The focus groups also revealed CHWs' motivation; the sense of identify that they find in their work; the reward, satisfaction, and challenges associated with their work; the fears, frustrations, and lack of respect that they face; and underscored the ability that CHWs have to positively influence people and communities. The result was a statewide conversation that will determine the shape of the future for CHWs in Virginia for years to come.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Identify the community health worker issues in Virginia as revealed in a series of 12 statewide focus groups.
• Outline the focus group process that brought Virginia's diverse community health workers together for the first time.
• Discuss the benefits of the focus group research process in fostering a sense of empowerment, community, and identity among community health workers.
• Describe the Virginia Center for Health Outreach research findings on community health workers in Virginia.
• Identify how community health workers input from the focus groups will drive the Virginia Center for Health Outreach policy, activity, and program development.

Keywords: Community Health Advisor, Research

Related Web page: www.vcho.cisat.jmu.edu

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The Virginia Center for Health Outreach at James Madison University
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.