Supporting Florida community health workers through policy: Turning collaboration into action

In November 2011, two bills advancing Community Health Worker (CHW) issues (Senate Bill 886 and House Bill 723) were filed in the Florida legislature. The bills were designed to support the development of a CHW Task Force whose purpose would be to guide the expansion of the CHW workforce across Florida through expanded training and certification. In other states, including Texas, Minnesota, New York,and Massachusetts, legislation was passed which standardized curricula, recognized CHWs, and in some instances, created a certification process. Each bill proceeded to appropriate subcommittees for review,although both bills died in the assigned subcommittee. Similar bills (HB 241 and a Senate companion) have been filed again for the 2013 legislative session to consider.

The Florida Community Health Worker Coalition (FLCHWC) was established in early 2011 by a group of volunteers from various disciplines within the health care environment. Dedicated to promoting and supporting the CHW profession in the state of Florida, FLCHWC has grown to over 200 members meeting by conference calls, webinars, and two face-to-face strategic planning events. Members of FLCHWC participate regularly in subgroups focused on networking/sustainability, curriculum, policy, research, and practice. CHWs play a prominent role within the FLCHWC by holding leadership roles on each subgroup, participating in monthly meetings, and spearheading regional organizing efforts. This presentation will elaborate on policy issues facing CHWs in Florida and challenges and strategies to standardize, recognize and incorporate CHWs into the continuum of the health care team.