Community Health Worker Programs
As part of ORH’s goals to bolster rural population health and health equity, we are committed to supporting the work of rural Community Health Workers (CHWs) across Oregon.
The Oregon Health Authority defines a Community Health Worker as “a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served.”
To understand more about the important and impactful role CHWs play in rural communities, Rural Health Information Hub writes:
“[Community Health Workers] are critically important in rural areas where health services are limited, particularly culturally appropriate and individualized services. CHWs often share characteristics with the population they serve, such as ethnicity, socio-economic status, language or medical condition. While CHWs have traditionally worked with racial and ethnic minority populations, in recent years, they have come to serve a wider variety of rural, urban, and underserved populations.
CHWs in rural areas work to improve health care outcomes by facilitating health care access, adding value to the health care team and enriching the quality of life for their patients and clients, including those who are poor, underserved, and in racial and ethnic minority communities. CHWs act as a liaison between providers and consumers in rural and urban communities. Services may include:
- Culturally-appropriate health and prevention education
- Referrals for a wide range of health and social services
- Assistance in navigating the health services system and coordinating care
- Advocating for individuals and communities within the health and social service system
- Tracking and supporting progress in managing chronic conditions and achieving health goals
- Basic health screening tests”
ORH's CHW Programs
The Oregon Office of Rural Health (ORH) has partnered with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to coordinate a CDC grant-funded program that will support the capacity of Oregon’s rural public health agencies, Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) by growing the Community Health Worker (CHW) workforce in rural Oregon.
This is a pilot grant program to fund the training of CHWs for employment at CAHs, RHCs and/or rural public health departments in Oregon.
Join the Rural CHW Peer Network!
The Rural Oregon CHW Peer Network functions as a listserv to connect rural CHWs across the state. This is a space to:
- Network and form meaningful relationships with other CHWs;
- Share knowledge, educational materials, tools, resources and opportunities;
- Promote events, workshops and webinars;
- Ask questions and brainstorm ideas; and
- Promote advocacy and awareness campaigns.
All Oregon CHWs are encouraged to join this group. We also welcome folks who work closely with CHWs.
Join the monthly Rural CHW Peer Meet-up, a space for rural CHWs to share experiences, problem-solve challenges and discuss anything you’d like to discuss with peers across the state.
The group takes place virtually on the third Tuesday of the month from 12:00 P.M. to 1:00 P.M. PST (unless otherwise noted).
ORH is also the fiscal agent and partner in the Healthy Rural Oregon program, which is coordinated by the Oregon Coalition of Local Health Officials.
Contact
Stepha Dragoon with any questions or inquiries.