The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

5017.0: Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 9:10 AM

Abstract #72862

Community Health Workers as Informal Job Readiness Counselors validating Life Experience as a Marketable Asset

Romelia Rodriguez, CHW, Center for Occupational & Environmental Health, Hunter College/CUNY, Hunter College, 425 East 25 Street - Box 616, New York, NY 10010, 212-481-7659, rgrodri@hunter.cuny.edu, Rita Taylor, CHW, CHW Network of NYC, 425 East 25th St, Box 616, New York, NY 10010, and Sergio Matos, Manager, Community Health Outreach, Health Plus, PHSP, Inc., 195 Montague St., Brooklyn, NY 11201.

This session will describe creative strategies for integrating Job Readiness into a home visiting program for families that are caring for a child with asthma and other chronic illnesses, and want to re-enter in the workforce.

The Asthma CHAMP is a project funded by the Human Resources Administration to help families that are receiving Public Assistance and have a child with a chronic illness. CHWs recognize that our clients underestimate the knowledge and qualities that they possess. This project was designed to prepare clients that are ending their TANF benefits to support and prepare them to identify their immeasurable qualities. These families learn how to manage their children’s asthma through asthma education. After they learn how to control this illness, through one- on- one-session clients discover their own strengths and abilities to perform a job. Presenters will explain the change and the impact of these families when they discover their strengths. They will learn how to transfer their life skills into job skills, from a firm hand shake to how to write a resume, cover letter, etc.

By the end of this session, participants will hear the issues that this population faces in entering the workforce. Presenting CHWs will share some experiences of those techniques that they have been using successfully.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Community Health Advisor, Welfare Reform

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.

From Rural to Urban: Community Health Workers Working with Diverse Populations

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA