HR 95: Community health workers; commend

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.

WHEREAS, a community health worker is a front line public health worker who is a trusted member or has an unusually close understanding of the community served; and

WHEREAS, this trusting relationship enables the worker to serve as a liaison, link, or intermediary between health and social services and the community, facilitating access to services, improving the quality and cultural competence of service delivery, building individual and community capacity, and increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support, and advocacy; and

WHEREAS, community health workers are a unique workforce recognized in 25 states with a professional certification; and

WHEREAS, community health workers are a community-based workforce that builds relationships and capacity for health and well-being in underserved areas; and

WHEREAS, community health workers are a cross-sector workforce that connects community members to health care and other social services, reducing barriers to health and well-being; and

WHEREAS, community health workers are a proven workforce with decades of research documenting effectiveness in maternal and child health, chronic disease interventions, immunization, oral health, HIV, primary care, and many other disciplines, with a documented return on investment for numerous programs; and

WHEREAS, community health workers fulfill a wide range of roles, including providing cultural mediation among individuals, communities, and health and social service systems; offering culturally appropriate health education and information; offering care coordination, case management, and system navigation; providing coaching and social support; advocating for individuals and communities; building individual and community capacity; providing direct service, including basic screening tests such as weight and blood pressure screening, basic services such as diabetic foot checks, and meeting basic needs; implementing individual and community assessments; conducting outreach; and participating in evaluation and research; and

WHEREAS, community health worker networks are statewide, regional, or local community-based organizations, including community health worker associations and coalitions with leadership or membership comprised of 50 percent or more of community health workers, promoters, or community health representatives, whose mission and activities focus on workforce development, mentoring, member mobilization, and advocacy.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body commend the significant contributions made by community health workers on behalf of the citizens of this state; encourage collaboration at the local and state level to raise awareness of the importance of community health workers; and express support for the work done by community health workers to reduce health disparities and improve well-being within underserved communities.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the press.