CHW workforce development and training: Strategies that work!

Community Health Workers (CHWs) are non-clinical professionals who work in their communities to empower residents by increasing health literacy, promoting better access to healthcare and social services and serving as cultural liaisons between community and institutional stakeholders. Health promotion, disease prevention and wellness are areas in which CHWs are adept change agents. CHWs have been educating community members (and healthcare providers) in the U.S. since the 1950s and 60s—and even longer internationally. CHWs have various titles including lay health advisors, peer educators, outreach workers, promotores de salud and many others. Several studies have evaluated the effectiveness of interdisciplinary care teams utilizing CHWs and the return on investment for organizations that employ them. With the advent of the Affordable Care Act there are increased occupational opportunities for CHWs, as well as incentives for healthcare systems to provide community-based, multi-sectorial solutions to achieve population health management leading to better patient health outcomes. This presentation explores ways to capitalize on new opportunities and convenes stakeholders from various backgrounds: CHWs, community psychology, public health, social service administration and healthcare delivery to discuss CHW partnerships in Illinois and Wisconsin. Attendees can expect to become more familiar with the following topics in community health work: community engagement strategies such as digital storytelling, multi-sectorial collaborations such as academic-community partnerships, as well as advocacy and policy work. Discussed are examples of CHW training and workforce development through the Health Profession Opportunities Grant (WI) and community college and legislative advances (IL).