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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: STRENGTHENING CHWS IN MINNESOTA
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The Governor's budget now includes funding to support the research, promotion, and development of Community Health Worker (CHW) models in Minnesota. Join us by reaching out to your House and Senate representatives THIS WEEK AND NEXT WEEK to encourage them to support this funding. In addition, you can contact Governor Walz to thank him for being a partner in this important work.
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BELOW ARE EASY STEPS FOR YOU TO FOLLOW TO MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN HELPING THE BUDGET PASS THE MINNESOTA HOUSE AND SENATE WITH FUNDING FOR CHWS!
WHO SHOULD YOU CONTACT?
Find out who represents you in the MN House and MN Senate AND their contact info: https://www.gis.leg.mn/iMaps/districts/
The budget must pass through the Senate Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee and House Health Finance and Policy Committee. Click the links to see who is on each committee, and we encourage you to reach out if you are one of their constituents.
Even if your representative is not on one of these committees, it is still important to connect with them and encourage them to support the important work of CHWs!
WHAT SHOULD YOU SAY?
We encourage you to speak from the head (facts) and the heart (your story). In the templates below we have provided some of the facts and we invite you to include your story.
1. You can CALL or EMAIL your House or Senate representatives. Below is an EMAIL TEMPLATE and ideas for a PHONE script – please personalize to share your voice and stories.
Honorable Representative/Senator NAME
I am writing to you to express support for the Community Health Worker (CHW) line item in the Governor’s Supplemental Budget to educate, strengthen, equip, evaluate and grow the CHW Workforce.
CHWs are the health equity workforce. Many CHWs represent BIPOC communities. They come from the communities they serve, providing the link to coverage and care, and are an investment in those communities. Research indicates that CHWs show a return on investment of at least three dollars for every dollar invested in them. They serve as liaisons between health care, social service systems, and communities. They also work in other systems such as public safety, public schools, childcare, elder services and many more.
Add a note about what you do: Why are CHWs important to your community? How do you and other CHWs impact people and families in your community?
CHWs are uniquely positioned to improve health outcomes and health equity within our state. This funding will lead to increased healthcare access, lower healthcare costs and improved health outcomes for your constituents facing barriers to care.
Thank you for your support,
NAME/ORGANIZATION
EMAIL/PHONE NUMBER (for contact)
2. You can also write to thank Governor Walz here: https://mn.gov/governor/contact/ Below is an EMAIL TEMPLATE to write the Governor – please personalize to share your voice and stories.
Honorable Governor Walz
Thank you for supporting Community Health Workers in your Supplemental Budget. Funding support for the CHW role will strengthen, equip, evaluate, and grow the CHW workforce in Minnesota and nationally.
Add a note about what you do: Why are CHWs important to your community? How do you and other CHWs impact people and families in your community?
I support your effort to move Minnesota’s Community Health Worker role to the next level and support all Minnesotans in achieving high-quality healthcare and social services.
Sincerely,
NAME/ORGANIZATION
EMAIL/PHONE NUMBER (for contact)
REPORT BACK:
To help us keep a record of outreach, please copy (cc-ing) the Alliance’s Executive Director Adri Lobitz in your emails (adrianna.lobitz@mnchwalliance.org) and send a note about who you called.
TESTIMONY:
We are seeking a list of people willing to provide testimony -- CHWs, supervisors, employers, payers, providers, patients, and their families. Your help identifying people is greatly appreciated and if you would like to testify please reach out to Alliance’s Executive Director Adri Lobitz (adrianna.lobitz@mnchwalliance.org)
PROPOSED FUNDING LANGUAGE:
Page 36 of the Governor's budget states "The Governor recommends expanding, strengthening, equipping, and evaluating the community health worker workforce in Minnesota to support the health and well-being of Minnesotans by partnering with the Community Health Worker Alliance to promote the profession and scope of practice, conduct program evaluation, and provide technical assistance. Specific activities include an awareness campaign, partnerships with employers, research and evaluation of Community Health Worker models, and a statewide infrastructure plan."
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| Thank you for supporting the Alliance and CHWs! |
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CHW Learning Circle Meeting
TOMORROW, Wednesday, March 2nd from 3:00-4:30 pm the Alliance will host our monthly CHW Learning Circle
This meeting will focus on CHW advocacy with Shandy Potes Mangra and Jihan Rashid!
Zoom link for the meeting:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83306891387?pwd=QnRRbVBGOC9KRGwwMFZ3YkhsbkQwQT09
Meeting ID: 833 0689 1387
Passcode: 496271
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,83306891387#,,,,*496271# US (Chicago)
+16465588656,,83306891387#,,,,*496271# US (New York)
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 720 707 2699 US (Denver)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 833 0689 1387
Passcode: 496271
Please reach out to Angela Feilds if you have questions- angelafields82@gmail.com
CHW Learning Circle meetings will continue to be the first Wednesday of each month from 3:00-4:30 pm so mark your calendars!
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The More You Know---
March: Colorectal Cancer Awareness
Colorectal cancer is a disease in which cells in the colon or rectum grow out of control. Sometimes it is called colon cancer, for short. The colon is the large intestine or large bowel. The rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anus.
Sometimes abnormal growths, called polyps, form in the colon or rectum. Over time, some polyps may turn into cancer. Screening tests can find polyps so they can be removed before turning into cancer.
Of cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States, but it doesn’t have to be. The COVID-19 pandemic has put many people behind on annual screenings like colonoscopies. Screening also helps find colorectal cancer at an early stage, when treatment works best and regular colonoscopies should begin at 45 or earlier if you are at a higher risk or having symptoms.
Symptoms may include:
- A change in bowel habits.
- Blood in or on your stool (bowel movement).
- Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty all the way.
- Abdominal pain, aches, or cramps that don’t go away.
- Weight loss and you don’t know why.
If you or someone you love are experiencing these symptoms contact a doctor to be screened.
There are various types of screening tests:
- Stool Tests
- Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- CT Colonography (Virtual Colonoscopy)
A doctor will help you decide which test best fits the situation.
Make an appointment today to be screened for colorectal cancer.
Visit these links for more information: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/index.htm & https://www.ccalliance.org/about/awareness-month
Inspirational Quote
“Happiness is not something readymade. It comes from your own actions.”
— Dalai Lama
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Education Opportunities
3/8 (webinar): MNPQC Hypertension in Pregnancy ECHO Series: Addressing Inequities in Hypertensive Care
Tuesday 3/8 from 12:15-1:15PM CT
Addressing inequities in hypertensive care Presenter: Jaime Slaughter-Acey, Ph.D., MPH Topics addressed may include: Highlighting the BIPOC patient experience and inequity-driven differences in maternal outcomes.
These meetings occur regularly on the 2nd Tuesday of each month.
Monday 3/14 at 11:30 AM CT
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the forefront the issue of vaccine hesitancy. While it is an often-used term, vaccine hesitancy is a complex and context-specific issue that requires a targeted understanding. This talk will define vaccine hesitancy, explore how it is connected to vaccine misinformation, describe vaccine hesitancy in different vaccine-preventable disease contexts (e.g., COVID-19 vs. HPV), and discuss appropriate and evidence-based strategies for addressing vaccine hesitancy in our communities. This live webinar is part of a health communication course at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and is open to the public.
Wednesday, March 16, 2022 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm CT
Nicole Berning (she/her) - Autism Clinical Lead, MN Department of Human Services
Kimberly Hicks (she/her) - Autism Policy Lead, MN Department of Human Services
After this session, you will have a better understanding of: -Characteristics of autism in young children -Educational and medical pathways to autism identification and services -Importance of early intervention -Resources for families to help support their child's growth and development.
Job Opportunities
Community Health Worker roles with Nystrom & Associates
New Brighton and Metro Area
As a Certified Community Health Worker on Nystrom & Associates’ Behavioral Health Home (BHH) team, you will be part of a community based team providing case management services for individuals with a mental health diagnosis. You’ll make a major impact on your local community by helping individuals get connected to mental health services, preventative care, and community programs. This position will cover our locations in New Brighton, St. Cloud and Moorhead, and will be a hybrid remote/in-person position.
Behavioral Health Home (BHH) is a lower level of care and considered a step-down from Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services (ARMHS), Targeted Case Management, or Assertive Community Treatment (ACT). BHH is a team-based model that includes a case manager, nurse and a community health worker.
The Community Health Worker, Nurse & Case Manager work as a team, and will work with clients on goals related to:
- Connection to mental health services, preventative care, and community programs such as housing, food shelves, employment, etc.
- Transitions in care
As a Certified Community Health Worker, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Provide culturally responsive, holistic care in the Metropolitan area community.
- Work closely on a team with nurses and case managers.
- Provide clients with health promotion services by assisting them with skills related to overall health and wellness
- Interact with clients on the phone or in-person monthly.
Click here and here to learn more about both positions.
For more education and job opportunities from around the state of Minnesota join the CHW Registry! Click here to join!
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SHARE YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS, JOB LISTINGS, AND FEEDBACK
Please email Adri Lobitz, Executive Director at info@mnchwalliance.org with CHW program news, training opportunities, resources, and announcements.
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