Community Health Workers
Community Health Workers (CHWs) implement local activities related to addressing health inequities and enhancing COVID-19 testing and vaccine delivery, adapted as appropriate for each community.
The CHWs are the operating arm of the LHEATs as they facilitate priority activities while also building trust and rapport with community members.
On June 9, the COPE team attended the 2022 Kansas Community Health Worker Symposium at Wichita State University. The theme of the symposium was 'Health Equity 360' with the goal of helping to reduce health disparities and increase access to care through community health workers in Kansas.
What does a CHW do?
- Assists their clients in identifying their needs and develops a tailored care plan.
- Connects their clients with care and support services in their area and helps them navigate the health care and social services systems.
- Checks in with their clients in person or by phone to help complete their goals and motivates and encourages them to get back on their feet.
- Teaches clients and family members how to do all these things and more on their own.
Ajmal Ahmadi and Manuel Guzman (CHWs from Finney County with a home base in Genesis Family Health) were in attendance. Symposium speakers left an impression on them. "The symposium was amazing. It started off strong with a great presentation from Dr. Edward Ehlinger. He even blessed us with an original song he wrote and sang himself," said Guzman.
The symposium offered many learning opportunities for CHWs, including 'Hope Mapping' from Stefanie Olson, KDHE CHW Section Director. "It gave me a great way to help my clients assess goals, simplify their goals and make them attainable," said Guzman. Ahmadi also took home some important lessons. "I learned from this symposium to have hope for your future and have respect for other ideas and dreams even if we know it's not coming to reality. But, it is crucial to continue to have hope and encourage clients to have hope for life and for the future."
In addition to Ahmadi and Guzman, other COPE representatives included: Angela Scott, Flor Sanchez, Lakia Dupree, Thien Doan, Gloria Calderon, Vicky Ortiz, Linda Gibson, Goretti Sanchez, Ruaa Hassaballa-Muhammad, Clarissa Carrillo Martinez and partners from Konza Prairie Community Health Center and Genesis Family Health. COPE was one of the symposium sponsors, along with Wichita State University, KDHE, Sunflower Health Plan, Sunflower Foundation, United Healthcare Community Plan and United Methodist Health Ministry Fund.
CHW Leadership
CHW Project Manager
Ton Miras Neira
CHW Advisors
Mariana Ramirez
International Scholar
Harshdeep Acharya
CHW Field Supervisor
Angela Scott
"The CHW is the extension of services from a clinic, but out in the community. The medical staff of a clinic might not go out into the community to help people in their houses, but the CHWs actually do, and the magic of the CSW is that they bring those outcomes back to the providers."- Ton Miras Neira, project manager for COPE