Key considerations for collaboration: Lessons we are learning- the NAO and the APHA CHW Section

As the community health worker (CHW) field grows, many different groups have emerged that have an interest in playing a role in the development of the CHW field. Specifically, participants in the American Public Health Association (APHA) CHW Section have been invited by the National Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Organization (NAO) to examine collaboration options. The NAO holds a mission-centered interest in CHWs targeted to the advancement of a diverse and accessible health care workforce to promote public health. As the NAO and the CHW Section consider more formalized collaboration opportunities for work together on CHW workforce development, several issues and opportunities have arisen. This presentation explores those issues as well as the benefits and risks of collaboration; it also explores approaches to collaboration to ensure positive outcomes. The importance of CHWs as members of the U.S. health and human services team is increasingly being recognized and current trends in CHW training, credentialing, and utilization of CHWS, call for examination as do approaches that the NAO and APHA CHW Section are considering to help build that growing national recognition. CHWs serve to improve access to culturally appropriate and quality primary care, to increase health literacy, and to promote social justice for people living and working in America's most disadvantaged neighborhoods; collaboration can help increase their capacity and sustainability.