Overview
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are frontline public health workers who are trusted members of their communities and/or have a close understanding of the communities served. This trusting relationship enables CHWs to serve as a link between health and social services and their community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. CHWs also build individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support, and advocacy.
District Health Equity Councils
In the Office of Minority Health, CHWs assist communities and individuals who are underserved and/or face structural barriers with navigating health challenges and utilizing health systems. CHWs work with other CHWs and community-based organizations (CBOs) to form health equity councils (HEC). District HECs will be allotted community engagement funding to identify and address the needs of each community. There may be future funding opportunities for the CBOs involved in these HECs.
Goal
Identify and address state district needs, foster communication and synergy, and ultimately evaluate and demonstrate the effectiveness and impact of statewide COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and related social determinants of health efforts among Indiana health disparity populations through the Indiana Health Equity Council (INHEC).
Model
Building a network of shared knowledge and collaboration. This model involves having a least one District Health Equity Community Health Worker in each of the preparedness districts.
Health Equity
Build sustainable District Health Equity Councils. The District Health Equity Community Health Workers work with local CBOS and coalitions to address health concerns among underserved and vulnerable populations. Districts will be allotted community engagement funds to address district unique needs. CHWs are looking to collaborate and come alongside health equity efforts to eliminate health disparities and properly navigate through health systems.
Objectives
Sustain relationships among organizations and health equity efforts in communities disproportionately impacted by health disparities. Identify (needs assessment) and address state district health equity needs by describing the implementation, relationship and health equity outcomes.
Partners
- Indiana Community Health Worker Association (INCHWA)
- Purdue University, Community Health Workforce Development Institute (CHWDI)
- Indiana Health Equity Council (INHEC)