Supporting the Community’s Health Advocates: Initial Insights into the Implementation of a Dual-Purpose Educational and Supportive Group for Community Health Workers

Authors: Marcie Johnson, Kimberly Hailey-Fair, Elisabeth Vanderpool, Victoria DeJaco, Rebecca Chen, Christopher Goersch, Ursula E Gately, Amanda Toohey, Panagis Galiatsatos

The Lunch and Learn program in Maryland supports community health workers (CHWs) through virtual education and peer connection. Launched in 2023, it offered twice-monthly online sessions with expert talks, Q&A, and peer-support time. Over the first year, participation grew, and CHWs reported that the program helped both their learning and well-being. This approach shows that combining education with community support can reduce burnout and strengthen the CHW workforce.