Although Community Health Workers (CHWs) have become a standard means for reaching under-served communities around the world, the level of support provided for their work in the United States has been limited to mostly local communities and small agencies providing outreach services. In an effort to change that, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) is supporting a state-wide survey of CHWs to support the development of the Massachusetts Community Health Worker Network (MACHW); a grass-roots organization of CHWs and their supporters directed toward promoting CHWs and their work. This survey will assess CHW needs and provide a foundation for the organization by addressing issues such as work relationships, job security, training, professional development, and networking opportunities. In addition to providing a foundation for MACHW, the survey will serve as a guideline for state and non-government agencies using CHWs in their programs. CHWs themselves are playing an essential role in the survey’s development and implementation by providing input into the survey’s content, organizing discussion groups around survey topics, and distributing the survey amongst their colleagues. During this session, discussion will focus on outcomes of the survey and their effect on the actions of MACHW and the MDPH. The primary objective the discussion will be to provide participants with a model of support for CHWs at the state level.
Learning Objectives: Prvide a model for developing large scale support systems for Community Health Workers
Keywords: Community Health Promoters, Survey
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Massachusetts Community Health Worker Network (MACHW)
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employee of Mass. DPH