HR95: HR95 Community health workers; commend

25 LC 112 2659 House Resolution 95 By: Representatives Greene of the 154th, Hawkins of the 27th, Taylor of the 173rd, Yearta of the 152nd, and Mathiak of the 82nd A RESOLUTION Commending community health workers; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, a community health worker is a front line public health worker who is a trusted2 member or has an unusually close understanding of the community served; and3 WHEREAS, this trusting relationship enables the worker to serve as a liaison, link, or4 intermediary between health and social services and the communi ty, facilitating access to5 services, improving the quality and cultural competence of serv ice delivery, building6 individual and community capacity, and increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency7 through activities such as outreach, community education, infor mal counseling, social8 support, and advocacy; and9 WHEREAS, community health workers are a unique workforce recognized in 25 states with10 a professional certification; and11 WHEREAS, community health workers are a community-based workfor ce that builds12 relationships and capacity for health and well-being in underserved areas; and13 H. R. 95 - 1 - 25 LC 112 2659 WHEREAS, community health workers are a cross-sector workforce that connects14 community members to health care and other social services, reducing barriers to health and15 well-being; and16 WHEREAS, community health workers are a proven workforce with d ecades of research17 documenting effectiveness in maternal and child health, chronic disease interventions,18 immunization, oral health, HIV, primary care, and many other di sciplines, with a19 documented return on investment for numerous programs; and20 WHEREAS, community health workers fulfill a wide range of roles , including providing21 cultural mediation among individuals, communities, and health and social service systems;22 offering culturally appropriate health education and information; offering care coordination,23 case management, and system navigation; providing coaching and social support; advocating24 for individuals and communities; building individual and commun ity capacity; providing25 direct service, including basic screening tests such as weight and blood pressure screening,26 basic services such as diabetic foot checks, and meeting basic needs; implementing27 individual and community assessments; conducting outreach; and participating in evaluation28 and research; and29 WHEREAS, community health worker networks are statewide, region al, or local30 community-based organizations, including community health worke r associations and31 coalitions with leadership or membership comprised of 50 percen t or more of community32 health workers, promoters, or community health representatives, whose mission and33 activities focus on workforce development, mentoring, member mobilization, and advocacy.34 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that35 the members of this body commend the significant contributions made by community health36 H. R. 95 - 2 - 25 LC 112 2659 workers on behalf of the citizens of this state; encourage collaboration at the local and state37 level to raise awareness of the importance of community health workers; and express support38 for the work done by community health workers to reduce health disparities and improve39 well-being within underserved communities.40 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized41 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution avai lable for distribution to the42 public and the press.43 H. R. 95 - 3 -