Leadership Column
Spring is welcome in the northland and this particular Spring brings new energy and the hopeful promise of many new jobs for Community Health Workers (CHWs).
One of our colleagues, Dr. Shreya Kangovi, from Penn Center for CHWs coauthored this article that lays out why and how CHWs are critical to our national recovery on three fronts: bolstering public health, rebuilding the economy, and a moral recovery that achieves racial justice.
Click here to read the article.
Since this piece was written, CHWs have been included in The American Rescue Plan, Section 2501, as part of the growing public health workforce. CHWs have also been named as a health and racial equity workforce and, as such, form a large part of solutions at national, state, and local levels.
CHWs have tremendous potential and the Alliance is ready to help organizations integrate them successfully. This takes internal support, correct resourcing, and supervision of an emerging profession that operates beyond organizational walls, and readiness for a cultural change.
This opportunity is tremendous and it is critically important to integrate CHWs as valued colleagues in a sustainable manner. If your organization is adding CHWS, the Alliance would like to share our expertise in this area. Please note that as a small, statewide nonprofit, the Alliance does this through contract work as we are not funded at this time to offer services.
The importance and talent of CHWs to the Alliance’s mission of health equity and optimal health outcomes for all is being recognized nationally. It is important to seize this moment in Minnesota to bolster public health, re-build the economy and achieve racial justice. Minnesota has been ahead of the pack in CHW work. Let’s continue this trend. Let’s use these resources wisely to invest in CHWs and CHW strategies now.
-Anne Ganey
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Alliance News
The Alliance is Growing, Out Website is Too
The Alliance website has been a hub of information for CHWs and it is time for an update. Over the next month, where information is located on the site will change to be more user-friendly and content will be updated to reflect the goals of the organization.
Some important changes are:
- Updates and additional resources will be added throughout on various topics
- A clearer focus on the CHW field in the state of Minnesota
- Greater emphasis on health equity and additional resources on the topic
The Alliance Quarterly Meetings
Minnesota Community Health Worker Alliance Statewide Meeting May 11th
Where have CHWs Been, Where are CHWs Going and How Can Organizations Be Ready for Them?
Please join us on zoom for a statewide meeting May 11th from noon to 3 p.m. featuring a presentation and opportunity to engage with Dr. Chidinma Ibe, John’s Hopkins Medical School and CHW Ashlee Harris from Penn Center for CHW.
The meeting will start with reports on work from Minnesota Community Health Worker Alliance Committees and CHW updates from around the state.
After our featured presentation, Where have CHWs Been, Where are CHWs Going and How Can Organizations Be Ready for Them? interested individuals may stay for two breakout groups.
A CHW Circle, facilitated by Angela Fields will include Ashlee Harris as a guest for cross state discussion on CHWs. Dr. Chidinma Ibe will join the CHW Supervisor Roundtable, facilitated by Tara Nelson, CHW and CHW Supervisor, to continue discussion and questions inspired by the presentation.
The Alliance is grateful for funding to support this event from the Medica Foundation.
Click here to register for the April Meeting.
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Alliance Registry Presentation at the Minnesota Public Health Association Annual Conference:
On April 29th, Sydney Bernard, Registry Project Manager, and Adri Lobitz, Registry Manager, will present on the creation and implementation of the Alliance's CHW Registry that that was launched this past fall.
The following is an overview of their presentation:
The Minnesota Community Health Worker (CHW) Alliance’s focus is to constantly seek equitable and optimal health outcomes for all communities. CHWs are still new to many Minnesota health and human services agencies and the field faces challenges related to awareness, recognition, and integration into team-based models. Stronger connections between CHWs, healthcare and public health systems, payers, policy-makers, community-based organizations, employers, and other allies are needed to sustain this workforce innovation and maximize its potential to help address Minnesota’s persistent health inequities and strive for more equitable healthcare access. In the Fall of 2018, exploration began by the Alliance into forming a state-wide CHW Registry in order to create a platform for CHWs and stakeholders to work towards the above focus areas. This presentation will go over the creation of the registry, lessons learned along the way, and leveraging such a tool to better advance the CHW field.
Click here to see the conference agenda and to register.
Scholarships are available to attend the conference.
Alliance Experiences
This spring the Alliance has been hosting a Mother's Recovery course for CHWs. Jeanne Holfield and Angela Feilds are CHWs who have worked as teaching assistants for the course and have shared their story below:
My name is Jeanne Holfield and I work primarily as a Peer Recovery Specialist for a tri-county agency. As part of my position, I was asked to take the Community Health Worker (CHW) curriculum and obtain a CHW certificate, which happened between May of 2018 through the first week of January 2019.
Fast forward a year, I received an email from my CHW instructor Amanda Wasilewski asking if I would like the opportunity to help co-teach the Mothers For Recovery class under the CHW curriculum. I was both surprised and honored (as well as incredibly nervous). What do I know about teaching? Then I remembered to draw on my experience as a Recovery Coach working with pregnant and parenting women, and realized I had the skills and the knowledge to help. Most of my participation for the class was supplying resources for substance use, whether concerning what type of use, type of treatment, resources for recovery support, and many more items for viewing and thought for the students to read on their own time. Being a person in long-term recovery, I was able to provide resources I have used myself, in my job as a Recovery Coach, and from my own class time to obtain my CHW certificate. There was some participation during class time which occurred every Wednesday for five weeks from noon to 1:30. It was a pleasure working with and getting to know the students participating in this class, as well as, working with Amanda. The dedication to learn more about working with women and mothers in recovery was evident in their participation and class work. The most honorable part of co-teaching was the trust and belief Amanda had in me asking me to grade some of the homework. I am not sure if I graded tough or was super lenient, but it was fun. I thank Amanda and the MN CHW Alliance for this opportunity to help serve as a CHW in this capacity and to share my knowledge and experience.
-Jeanne Holfield, CHW
My name is Angela Fields. I am a CHW with People Incorporated Mental Health Services and I also hold a position with the MN CHW Alliance as the planner and facilitator of the meetly CHW Learning Circle meeting.
The Mother’s Recovery Training is a free training program offered by the MN CHW Alliance that provides educational programming for Community Health Workers (CHWs) and related positions in early 2021. The program prepares CHWs to work with mothers in recovery and how to utilize interventions to aid in improving health outcomes for mothers and babies.
As a participant in the mother recovery program, I learned about maternal child health, infant and breastfeeding, addiction and recovery, and the complexity of care warranted for recovery women who are pregnant and Moms of young infants. I learned about the role of the CHW working with mothers in recovery a how CHW’s are at the forefront of change for better health outcomes for the disparities identified in this population.
Upon completion of the recovery training program, I was extended an invite to return as a training program co-instructor. I am looking forward to returning back to the training program as a co-teaching, connecting, sharing, and learning alongside my CHW community.
-Angela Fields, CHW
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There is still room in the April cohort starting April 12th with classes each Monday from 6:30-8:00pm for five weeks! Click this link to sign up!
Registry Members' Corner
Be sure to check out all the Discussion Boards on the Registry! These are a great place to network with others and gain access to resources. CHWs and Stakeholders/Community Partners have their own boards and there is a board for all on COVID-19 and current events.
You can find the discussion boards under the 'My Profile' tab by clicking on "Discussion Boards". From there you will have access to all of the boards you are apart of.
To turn on notifications: Scroll over my profile > Click My Registry Account >Click the Notification button- 4th one down > Make sure both the Notify me when someone posts on group and Notify me when someone comments on group are turned on > Click Update Notifications
Don't see the boards? Email mnchwallianceregistry@gmail.com to be added or with any questions.
Inspirational Quote
What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.
— Henry David Thoreau
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CHW Circle and Education Opportunities
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WellShare is hosting a panel on Community Health Workers and COVID-19: Vaccinations and Resources Panel
Thursday, April 8th, 3:00-4:30 PM CT
Join us on Thursday April 8 to hear from MDH experts about the COVID-19 vaccines, updated communications resources, and the role of the CHW as we reflect on 1 year into the COVID-19 Pandemic. We will be joined by MDH staff Hinda Omar, a Health Educator Specialist, and Dan-Tam Phan-Hoang, MS, a COVID-19 Communications, Materials and Media Lead.
Participants will gain the following information about COVID-19 :
1. Learn about COVID-19 vaccination, community education and outreach efforts, including community concerns about vaccinations and COVID-19 prevention
2. Connect with others to discuss experiences discussing vaccinations in our roles as CHWs
3. Add to knowledge about vaccinations in the time of COVID-19 and resources available.
Click here to register.
This is the CHW Circle event for April. Please use the link about to register in advance.
For more education opportunities, join the CHW Registry!
Click here to join!
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Jobs & Volunteer Opportunities
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Opportunities Within The Alliance
Alliance Seeks CHW Supervisor Round Table Facilitator
The Minnesota CHW Alliance seeks a CHW Supervisor knowledgeable about and committed to CHW strategies to facilitate the monthly CHW Supervisor Round Table. This is a monthly meeting of CHW Supervisors which serves as an educational forum, a sounding board for ideas and problem solving, peer connections, national connections and updates on the field.
Facilitator duties include:
- Setting up and facilitating the monthly zoom meetings
- Arranging topics and speakers
- Working with Alliance staff to promote the round table.
Interested? Please email Anne at atganey@gmail.com to be considered, with questions or for more information.
Alliance Seeks Communication Committee Members
The Minnesota CHW Alliance seeks individuals looking to become more involved with the Alliance via the Communication Committee. Those looking to join should have an interest in growing the Alliance and assisting with outreach about Alliance operations as well as the CHW Registry. The Alliance is seeking CHWs, community members, or professionals in this area to join and begin on this exciting path of growth for the organization!
Committee member duties and expectations include:
- Attending Regular committee meetings on a weekly to monthly basis.
- Assisting with external marketing and outreach to community members and stakeholders.
- Collaboration with CHWs, allies, and Alliance staff to boost awareness of The Minnesota CHW Alliance and Registry.
- The time commitment for this opportunity is approximately 1-2 hours per week!
Interested? Please email mnchwallianceregistry@gmail.com for more information and details as well as with any questions.
JOBS
Community Health Worker, Mayo Clinic, Mankato
Assist individuals and communities to adopt healthy behaviors. Conducts outreach for medical personnel or health organizations to implement programs in the community that promote, maintain, and improve individual and community health. Provides information on available resources, social support, and informal counseling, Advocates for individual and community health needs, and provides services in a setting where there is low potential for exposure to blood and other high risk body fluids, communicable diseases and hazardous materials, chemicals and waste.
May collect data to help identify community health needs. Implements the care plan under the supervision of appropriate patient care team members per MN state requirements and reports findings to care team partners, educators, and other healthcare providers. Majority of time spent travelling within neighborhoods to meet with residents
Click here to apply.
Community Health Worker, Fairview Health Services, St. Paul
M Health Fairview Care Coordination Program has an immediate opening for a Community Health Worker (CHW). The CHW is responsible for helping community members, patients and their families access and navigate community services and resources and adopt healthy behaviors. The CHW supports providers and team members through an integrated approach to care management and community outreach. Activity will promote, maintain and improve individual and community health. The CHW provides social support and informal counseling, individual and group health education and advocacy for individuals and community health needs. Providing home visits and health screenings may be required. Clinic location TBD and can change. Hired out of Midway St. Paul campus.
Click here to apply.
For more job opportunities all over the state of Minnesota join the CHW Registry! Click here to join!
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Updated COVID-19 News Resources
CDC COVID-19 Resources for CHWs: New webpage designed for CHWs.
This site provides CHWs, promotores de la salud and CHRs with resources to support their work as well as information for their employers to better ensure the safety of CHWs in the community. State and local health departments also may find these resources beneficial to share with local programs and funding recipients. Thanks to CDC’s Betsy Rodriguez for her leadership for this site.
Minnesota COVID-19 Dashboard
Information on getting tested for COVID-19 in Minnesota
Find a testing site near you
Information on the COVID-19 vaccine in Minnesota
COVID-19 Vaccine Connector
Resources for finding a vaccine appointment:
Vaccine Finder
Vaccine Spotter
MDH CHW COVID Safety Tips for CHWs
For questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, call 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504
Mon.-Fri.: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Refugee and immigrant COVID-19 hotline 651-318-0989, Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm. Callers can also get information in any language on basic needs, distance learning support, employment, financial needs and the process towards citizenship.
African American Leadership Forum and Phyllis Wheatly Community Center have partnered to create the MN Black Community COVID-19 Hotline. Call 612-254-1145 for information about testing and resources for food security, physical and mental health, employment, housing, childcare, legal rights, and other issues stemming from the pandemic.
Translated videos on COVID-19
The following is a toolkit on mental well-being in COVID-19 from the Minnesota Department of Health that is now available in multiple languages!
#StayConnectedMN: Mental health during COVID-19 (Spanish):
#StayConnectedMN: Mental health during COVID-19 (Hmong): https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/suicide/documents/stayconnectedmn_hmong.pdf
#StayConnectedMN: Mental health during COVID-19 (Karen): https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/suicide/documents/stayconnectedmn_karen.pdf
#StayConnectedMN: Mental health during COVID-19 (Somali): https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/suicide/documents/stayconenctedmn_somali.pdf
#StayConnectedMN: Mental health during COVID-19 (English): https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/suicide/documents/stayconnectedmntoolkit.pdf
See the Alliance’s website for more COVID-19 resources.
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Share
SHARE YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS, JOB LISTINGS AND FEEDBACK
Please email Adri Lobitz, Registry Manager at mnchwallianceregistry@gmail.com
with CHW program news, training opportunities, resources and announcements.
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