CHWs creating systemic changes to improve access to and quality of care through use of their community knowledge and experiences

South Carolina’s Latino population grew 148% from 2000 to 2010; yet, many Latino families in the state struggle to access basic health care services, and service providers are challenged with providing culturally and linguistically appropriate care. In 2005, PASOs emerged as a community-based solution based on a strong belief that access to quality care for South Carolina’s Latino immigrant families is more likely to improve if Latino communities and health care organizations partner to create collaborative changes that address the needs and realities of immigrant families.

In this session, PASOs’ team members (including a community health worker) will share the methods and results of a qualitative evaluation of PASOs’ CHW project and will discuss strategies for creating systemic change within health and social service organizations. PASOs CHWs work to amplify the voices of their communities and peers, and to serve as a bridge between the community and health care organizations. By connecting both groups, the CHWs are able to help increase organizations’ capacity to respond effectively to the health care needs of the Latino community. Strategies that PASOs’ CHWs have developed over the past two years include: dialoguing  with health and social service providers to bring  suggestions from the Latino community; assessing the cultural appropriateness and effectiveness of organizations’ materials and processes; participating in discussion panels, focus groups, and presentations to represent community needs; and organizing dialogue events between the community members and organizations called "Bridges in Action" that have resulted in tangible, sustainable changes to the health care system.