The CHW Advocacy Coalition
What is a Community Health Worker (CHW)?
A Community Health Worker (CHW) is “a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the CHW to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. A CHW also builds 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.”
About the Coalition
Connecticut Association for Community Action (CAFCA), along with Southwestern AHEC and Community Health Center Association of Connecticut (CHC/ACT), received funding from the Connecticut Health Foundation to support advocacy efforts to help ensure the effective implementation of Medicaid payment for community health workers (CHWs), a workforce that is instrumental in achieving health equity. CHWs bridge the gap between the health care system and the social services that also contribute to patients’ well-being.
You're invited to work with Southwestern AHEC, CAFCA, and CHC/ACT to advocate for Medicaid reimbursement for Community Health Workers (CHWs) in Connecticut.
Save the Date: CHW Training Webinars
1/29/2025 @ 11:00: Webinar educating the Coalition on CHW funding sources in other states, possibilities for Connecticut.
2/12/2025 @ 9:00am: CHW Advocacy Coalition: Overview of Legislative Process
