Community health workers (CHWs) are essential to achieving positive health outcomes and advancing health equity in the United States. Yet they are not sufficiently integrated into school healthcare systems. The authors of this article emphasize the important role CHWs play in connecting school-aged children and their families to necessary community resources and call for the … [Read more...] about Community Health Workers: Connecting Communities and Supporting School Nurses
North America (U.S. and Canada)
Perspectives on Workforce Development Needs for Community Health Workers (CHWs): Results from a Statewide Survey of CHW Employers
This mixed-methods cross-sectional study conducted in Texas, USA, aimed to elucidate characteristics of CHW programs to further understand their needs. CHWs must be state-certified to provide health education and conduct health promotion activities within their communities. They are viewed as essential to the multidisciplinary healthcare team in Texas. Respondents expressed a … [Read more...] about Perspectives on Workforce Development Needs for Community Health Workers (CHWs): Results from a Statewide Survey of CHW Employers
Engaging Parents in Mental Health Services: A Qualitative Study of Community Health Workers’ Strategies in High Poverty Urban Communities
This study investigates the utility of a school-based mental health service model using community health workers to implement early intervention programs in high poverty urban communities amongst K-4 children and their parents. Findings of this study indicate that CHWs are able to identify and implement mental health interventions for school-aged children and their families. … [Read more...] about Engaging Parents in Mental Health Services: A Qualitative Study of Community Health Workers’ Strategies in High Poverty Urban Communities
Community health workers and non-clinical patient navigators: A critical COVID-19 pandemic workforce
This paper comments on the ways that community health workers should be deployed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the US. CHWs are members of the communities they serve, making them skilled in community engagement and health communication at a time when social distancing mandates are a possible barrier in connecting vulnerable communities to resources. The authors … [Read more...] about Community health workers and non-clinical patient navigators: A critical COVID-19 pandemic workforce
Engaging Parents in Mental Health Services: A Qualitative Study of Community Health Workers’ Strategies in High Poverty Urban Communities
In the US, the use of CHWs in providing mental health services is growing. This study researched engagement strategies for a school-based mental health service model by employing a CHW workforce to implement early intervention programs in high poverty urban communities. Key findings of the study support the ability of CHWs to identify and implement an array of engagement … [Read more...] about Engaging Parents in Mental Health Services: A Qualitative Study of Community Health Workers’ Strategies in High Poverty Urban Communities