This document provides an overview of a presentation about community health workers (CHWs). It discusses the history and need for CHWs, their definition and roles, models of care, education and certification requirements. The presentation covers the history of CHWs dating back to Clara Barton and Jane Addams, and their increasing need today. CHWs are community members who share the language and experiences of those they serve. Their roles include cultural mediation, counseling, advocacy, education, and referrals. The presentation explores models of care, credentialing processes, and outcomes of CHW programs like increased health literacy and improved standards.

1. WELCOME EVERYONE WESTERN REGIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR HUMAN SERVICES PROFESSIONALS HOUSTON, TEXAS MARCH 25-27, 2010 PRESENTER: ELIZABETH KELLY, Ph.D., RN., CNS-CH TDSHS CHW Certified Instructor

2. COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER The who, why, what, where, when and therefore

3. DISCUSSION TOPICS HISTORY OF CHWS TODAYS NEED DEFINITION, ROLES, SCOPE OF PRACTICE AND CHARACTERISTICS MODELS OF CARE EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION EVALUATION OF LEARNING AND WORK STUDENT OUTCOMES

4. HISTORY OF CHWs Rooted in a community’s self-preservation and self reliance Clara Barton Jane Addams 1960’s 1970-1980 1990’s 2000-2010

5. NEED FOR CHW ROLES Changing health care scene (NFME, 2006) “to focus more on consumer needs and interests,” “more often located in home or community,” “more cultural sensitivity and awareness”

6. CHW DEFINITION “member of a community who shares ethnicity, language, socioeconomic status and life experiences with other community members.”

7. ROLES FOR CHWs Cultural mediation between community and agencies/health systems Informal counseling/social support Advocacy Information and referrals Produce classes/materials Direct contact

8. SCOPE OF PRACTICE CULTURAL MEDIATION BETWEEN COMMUNITY AND HEALTH/SOCIAL AGENCIES INFORMATION, COUNSELING/SOCIAL SUPPORT SHOW CULTURAL SENSITIVITY THROUGH EDUCATION AND MATERIALS ADVOCACY INFORMATION AND REFERRALS

9. CHARACTERISTICS FOR CHWS EMPHATIC DEPENDABLE, RESPONSIBLE OPEN FLEXIBLE AND ADAPTABLE PATIENT MOTIVATED AND CAPABLE OF SELF-DIRECTED WORK

10. MODELS OF CARE MEMBER OF CARE DELIVERY TEAM NAVIGATOR SCREENING AND HEALTH EDUCATION PROVIDER OUTREACH-ENROLLING-INFORMING AGENT ORGANIZER

11. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION WHAT SETTING? EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CHWs CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT TEACHING/LEARNING STRATEGIES SERVICE LEARNING INTERNSHIP/APPRENTINCESHIP CEUs

12. CREDENTIALING Through legislation by the states or at the national level Texas Ohio Indiana Alaska Minnesota Massachusetts

13. EVALUATION OF THE CHW ROLE Strategies Standards Ethics

14. OUTCOMES EMPLOYMENT EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION INCREASED HEALTH LITERACY LEVELS IMPROVED HEALTH STANDARDS

15. DISCUSSION History of CHWs Needed for today Definition, Roles, Scope of Practice and Characteristics Models of Care Education and Certification Evaluation of Learning and Work Student Outcomes

16. DISCUSSION CONTINUED VIA COMMUNITYHEALTHWORKER. BLOGSPOT.COM TWITTER.COM

17. YOUR THOUGHTS