CHW SECTIONDalton A. Skerritt

SUSTAINABILITYCOMMUNITY HEALTH

WORKERAPHA MEETING 2011

WASHINGTON DC

Abstract #245710

OF CHW

PROGRAMS IN

THE HEALTH CARE

DELIVERY

SYSTEM

CHW SECTIONDalton A. Skerritt

HOW DO WE SUSTAIN CHW PROGRAMS?

• We market CHW strengths in the work place and in the community

• Increase the CHW value by providing outreach training and patient centered skills training

• Constantly educate Legislators and Employers of the benefits of hiring a CHW

• Capture measurement of work outcomes and present data to potential funders.

ENCOURAGEMENT(By CHW Leaders)

TOOLS TO MEASURE CHW OUTCOMES:

• (ODTS) Outreach data tracking sheet

• Customizing ODTS to reflect the CHWs productivity example generating new patients or clients.

• Utilizing the EMR systems to track improvement in the quality of care. (BP, A1c etc)

• Calculate the revenue generated by number of patients or individuals that receive services as a direct result of CHW effort

DATA REFLECTING CHW’S ACHIEVEMENTS

149

85

69

155

95

72

154

93

70

144

102

73

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

JAN FEB MAR APRIL

OUTREACH

INS/PCP

PHYSICAL

BARRIERS THAT EMPLOYERS PERCEIVE WITH HIRING CHWs

• Lack of funding for CHW positions.

• Credentialing OF A CHW in the workplace

• Clarifying their role within the healthcare delivery system as part of the medical team in a clinical setting

• Supervision of the CHW

• Justifying their salary in a budget

TALKING TO YOUR LEGISLATOR

TALKING TO YOUR LEGISLATOR

• Advocate for grants and funding in the budget to support the CHW

• Help pass a bill for CHW

• Present your CHW success story

• Invite your state representative or state senator to attend a CHW event.

• Hold Legislator accountable by getting them involved and engaged.

HIGHLIGHTS OF SUCCESS(CHW educates Legislators about Prostate Cancer at

the Boston State House on September 15th 2011)

MOBILIZING THE COMMUNITY

CHWS ORGANIZING COMMUNITY MEN

A CEO WITH A VISION(Creating CHW Jobs for a new CHC)

• Building a new CHC building helps to create jobs for individuals in the community.

• Hiring CHWs and training the CHWs who are vested in the community

• A new building as a result of a strong history of CHW’S work and an outreach system based on the CHW Model

A CEO WITH A VISIONA NEW COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER (Whittier Street Health Center in Boston)

CHW INNOVATION

• Modifying data collecting tools to effectively Capture information on health care for at risk population for many diseases, health and social disparities.

• CHW created (ACAP) Angelicah Community assistance plan which helped hundreds of people to receive social services. (ID & Birth Certificate Programs and transportation Passes) (Identifying barriers to health care)

• Conduct research and data analysis at the grass-root level of our communities.

• Collaborate with many organizations

SELF ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION

• Constantly evaluate yourself and measure your outcomes to see how successful you were as a CHW getting the job done

• Publish articles of success stories, best practices and evidence base models that work.

• Example: taking 90 men of color to the Annual Prostate Cancer Symposium 2011

DOCUMENTATION

SUSTAINABILITY

• Make sure your Funding is secured• Network and discuss growth opportunities• Provide training for all CHW each year• Communicate well between Doctors,

Nurses, Nurse Practitioner, Medical Assistant, Patient and Relatives.

• Document the good and the bad. • Evaluate your self and assess your

surroundings.