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Boston Community Health Worker Initiative Community health workers (CHWs) are an essential, but often overlooked, part of the public health system. They work in diverse settings and under myriad titles to improve access to health care for underserved populations. Action for Boston Community Development received a SkillWorks planning grant in April 2006 to lead a broad-based partnership in increasing employer investment in training and promotion; developing recognized career pathways; and establishing a recognized postsecondary certificate program for community health workers (CHWs). Key partners include Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries; Bunker Hill Community College; Mass. Department of Public Health; Mass. Department of Mental Health; Mass. Community Health Worker Network; and the Mass. League of Community Health Centers. During the planning phase, the steering committee will develop a comprehensive academic and vocational assessment process for CHWs; academic and career counseling resources; adult basic education resources for CHWs; credit-bearing degree programs; and linkages among professional development programs. The partnership's employer partners include DotWell (Codman Square Community Health Center, Dorchester House Multi-Service Health Center); Whittier Street Health Center; East Boston Neighborhood Health Center; Partners in Health/Brigham and Women's Hospital (PACT Program); and ABCD's public health division. During the planning process, ABCD will convene employers to develop shared definitions and credentialing standards for CHWs; commitments to worker supports; and commitments to systematic changes in personnel practices. The initiative will also work on a public information and advocacy plan to tackle structural issues such as a third party payer reimbursement issues that constrain the career advancement opportunities of community health workers. At the end of the planning process, ABCE and its partners will have developed a plan to implement a career lattice initiative for community health workers and their employers including the components mentioned above. The end goal is to assist CHWs make progress toward achieving family self-sufficiency. Contact: Community Health Worker Advancement: A Research Summary (PDF) Letter of Intent Submissions (PDF) Request for Proposals (PDF) Bidders Conference Presentation (PDF) Bidders Conference Q&A (PDF) Bidders' Competencies Matrix (Excel) Bidders Conference Attendee List (PDF)
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