Investing in Community Health Workers in the health care setting: Safety net hospital moves the field of CHWs forward in MN

Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC), a large urban safety net hospital, is one of the largest employers of Community Health Workers (CHW) in Minnesota.   CHWs provide culturally and language specific services to address health disparities, social determinants of health and basic patient needs.  We will share lessons learned for rapid expansion of a sustainable CHW program, integration of clinic and community based CHWs, and innovative strategies for population health.  Presenters include a CHW and CHW Supervisor.

In 2010, HCMC leadership invested in four CHWs to provide functions of care coordination.  HCMC championed implementation of MN policy and payment reform to sustain and grow over 25 clinic and community based CHW positions.   Support and training for CHWs includes completion of CHW Certificate program, internal training curriculum, and ongoing training opportunities. CHWs are empowered to participate in community events, present at conferences, and attain professional development.   

HCMC CHWs play an integral role in Health Reform:

• Championing strategies from the ground up - medical homes, team-based care, population health
• Piloting interventions that impact clinical quality, patient satisfaction, utilization. 
• Demonstrating value of care coordination teams to include nurses and social workers. 
• Adopting use of basic needs survey to identify areas of need, provide education and resources
• Collaborate with patient and care team to create goals and action steps
• Building patient relationships to provide patient-centered care

Biggest learning is that patients that have met psychosocial needs such as housing and transportation are more likely to engage in other health care services.