Community Health Workers A Community Health Worker, (CHW) is a - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Community Health Workers • 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 APHA definition has been adopted by other organizations in Kentucky including the Kentucky Association of Community Health Workers (KYACHW). http://www.apha.org/advocacy/policy/policysearch/default.htm?id=1393

Bridge Program Overview • Bridge the gap between communities and the health and social service systems • Navigate the health and human services system • Advocate for individual and community needs • Provide direct services • Build individual and community capacity • Focus Chronic Disease Management Self- Management • Increase Self- Efficacy

Funding History • 2006 – HRSA Outreach grant to provide direct medical and dental services to Hispanic in Bath, Menifee, and Montgomery Counties • 2009 – HRSA Outreach grant to provide mental health services in addition to those listed above • 2012 – HRSA Outreach grant to include the American population and move to a chronic disease management model • 2014 – HRSA Network Development grant to enhance the workforce and development of CHW’s in 32 Appalachian eastern KY counties based on our CHW model • 2015 – HRSA Outreach grant to expand our chronic disease model to Rowan and Morgan counties and place two CHWs in the EDs • 2017 – HRSA Network Development grant to expand into all counties in KY with rural designation as defined by HRSA

Fast Facts • Enrolled around 350 clients • 50% have high blood pressure or hypertension • 24% have type II diabetes • 34% state they use tobacco products on a regular basis • 33% state they do not engage in any physical activity or exercise

Key Findings • Significant reduction in A1c • Increase appointment compliance • Increase in medication adherence • Statistically significant decrease in ER visits • Statistically significant increase in self-efficacy • Statistically significant increase in perceived health status • 41% met Care Plan goals

Blood Pressure • Significant reduction in blood pressure from the first to the fifth visit • Increase hypertension medication adherence (65% at initial visit, 75% at 6 months, 80% at 12 months, and 91% at 15 months

Cholesterol Project • Trouble obtaining lipid panel from physician • Utilize hand-held machine • Total, LDL, and HDL at the initial and each quarterly visit

AKHCAN • Appalachian Kentucky Health Care Access Network (AKHCAN) • AKHCAN is a group of experts and stakeholders, joined together by a shared vision of healthier people in Kentucky. The Network utilizes its combined experience, commitment and expertise to support Community Health Worker (CHW) programming.

AKHCAN Goals • Working together to increase the number of CHWs in KY to improve health care access and positive health outcomes for all rural Kentuckians 1. Expand CHW programming throughout Kentucky 2. Develop quality training and tools for statewide utilization 3. Explore viability of a certification process for Kentucky CHWs 4. Support CHW workforce development

CHW Core Competencies

Contact • Gina Brien, MA, Health Education Director Ginal.brien@ky.gov • Jan Chamness, MPH (Retired) jbchamness@gmail.com