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Removing barriers to care Community health workers
Community health workers are trusted public health workers who serve as a vital bridge between the community and the health care system. They understand local cultural differences, respond to urgent health needs, and nurture strong relationships with community members. Providence is deeply committed to CHV programs that meet the health needs of our communities, helping people cope with complex systems, reducing health inequalities, and providing cost-effective care near the home.
In their roles, CHVs wear many hats, including educators, community builders, health care providers, coaches, behavioral health aids, and counselors. They also serve as a link between the population with a lack of resources and social services to improve access to culturally competent, quality care.
Providence CHVs have been on the ground for years supporting community members, but we launched an expansion in 2021, with new programs in 12 service areas in the seven states we serve. Earlier this year, these programs responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by distributing personal protective equipment, managing contact tracking, and applying tests and vaccines. As COVID-19 vaccines have reduced severe disease, CHV has focused on other urgent community needs such as perinatal care, cardiovascular health, behavioral health, diabetes prevention and treatment, and continued coordination of social services.
Alaska: Bridging the gap between the community and clinical environments
Using population health data and contributions from community members and partners, Providence Alaska identified four settlements in Anchorage - Airport Heights, Fairview, Government Hill and Mountain View - for the CHV pilot program launched in mid-2021. The program received $ 2.4 million from Providence’s systemic investment in health to fund one CHV in each of the four settlements, and a total of eight over three years.
Since the launch of the Community Health Workers Pilot Program in mid-2021, more than 2,300 people have helped in Anchorage neighborhoods.
As locals with deep knowledge of their community, CHVs began to make contacts, coordinate necessary services, provide educational materials, and remove barriers to access so that more community members could receive culturally competent and appropriate care and services. Since launching this pilot program, this team of diverse and experienced people has connected with more than 2,300 individuals and helped them navigate through systems that seemed impossible to go through alone.
Providence has partnered with several local nonprofits to avoid duplicating existing services. CHVs have also been enrolled in the Alaska Ministry of Labor and Labor’s internship program to gain national certification and advance their long-term career opportunities.
Southern California: Training the next generation of community health workers
Providence Little Company of Marie and Charles Drew University School of Medicine and Science formed a partnership in 2019 to create the Academy of Community Health Workers, a paid six-month training program for internships and workforce development for a diverse group of healthcare professionals. career.
As part of their internship, community health trainees worked with six different clinics and hospitals to provide more than 7,500 people with access to services and programs.
After reviewing 450 applications, the program was launched in 2021 with two inaugural cohorts, a total of 26 participants. Both cohorts received online and in-person training on care management and relationship building, mentoring and teaching. The Academy also provided continuing education sessions and weekly one-on-one reviews with a dedicated program manager.
As part of their internship, trainees worked with six different clinics and hospitals to provide more than 7,500 people with access to services and programs. The first cohort of 11 CHVs graduated in July 2021 with new confidence in working in a clinical setting and engaging with community members. The second cohort is scheduled to graduate in early 2022.
Washington: The community workforce is focused on reducing health disparities
Community Health Workers Program at Providence St. Marie in Valla Valla changes hearts and minds and meets people in the community. A highly skilled community-based workforce is an expert in navigating resources and connecting clients with culturally competent care and services.
Brian, a health worker in the Providence community in Vala Vala, Washington, talks to a client.
In 2021, the hospital expanded its CHV program from two to six. The two are dedicated promoters, or bilingual and bicultural health professionals who develop and nurture personal relationships with community members that are authentic and consistent. The ability of the promoter to connect with individuals and families in their first language of Spanish helps to remove the critical barrier to receiving the necessary care. They help coordinate and advocate for health insurance, prescription drug support, scheduling preventive checkups, and basic services such as meals on wheels.
In 2021, a team of health workers in the Providence St. Marie has made more than 5,500 individual points of contact with patients and community members.
CHVs are also a bridge between the hospital and people experiencing homelessness. At the peak of the heat wave in 2021, when temperatures reached 117 degrees in Vala Vala, CHV distributed cold water, ice and other refrigerants to unprotected people on a daily basis. The stock was funded through an investment for the benefit of the Providence community. In addition, CHVs have partnered with the city of Valla Valla to pilot a community paramedic program that pairs a CHV paramedic when responding to emergency calls. In this model, the nurse can focus on medical care, while CHV can focus on social determinants of health. *
COVID-19 has made community health work even more important as health disparities have increased and people have sometimes been reluctant to visit a hospital or clinic. CHVs play a key role in Providence’s ongoing response to the pandemic and many other health needs. They provide care in a community-friendly environment and provide health information that is relevant and informative to our neighbors.
* Social determinants of health include factors such as socioeconomic status, education, neighborhood and physical environment, employment and social support networks, as well as access to health care. Addressing social determinants of health is important for improving health and reducing long-term disparities in health and health care.
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