MN CHW Peer Network

The number of community health workers—also called lay health workers, community health advisors, representatives, promotores(as) de salud, and more—in the U.S. increased by more than 40 percent between 2000 and 2005. Minnesota follows this steep upward trend.

Because of increasing costs of medical care and insurance, many health care systems and organizations are discovering the benefits of training people to spread health information within their own communities and act as links to the formal health care system.

What We Do
Our network aims to facilitate resource-sharing and information exchange among Minnesota’s community health workers from different organizations, communities, and disciplines. In order to do this, we:

    * Hold monthly meetings for community health workers to receive in-service training and to network
    * Organize regional training opportunities for CHWs and their employers in urban and rural areas
    * Provide links to resources for CHWs and CHW employers
    * Organize a statewide conference for community health workers, employers, policy makers, and others

Click here to subscribe to the Minnesota CHW Peer Network mailing list.

Minnesota Community Health Worker Directory

Minnesota Community Health Worker Alliance

Contact Us!

Latest News
THURSDAY- August 18th 2010 11 am to 1 pm Information session on reimbursement for CHWs followed by time for networking....
Please help us in congradulating Xee Xiong Vang of Eastside Family Clinic.  Xee received an award at the Unity...
Upcoming Events
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CHW Peer Network Chairs
Peer Network Co-Chair Comfort Dondo-Dewey of Portico HealthNet
 
Peer Network Co-Chair Sophia London of Face to Face Health and Counseling Service
CHW of the Quarter

Community Health Worker of the Quarter: 

Maria Thoreson

 
1. What inspired you to become a Community Health Worker?
I’ve always wanted to help the Hispanic community because that is where I grew up and I understand some of the problems they face.  Being a Community Health Worker I can do this and also help everyone else who needs it. I love that I can help people one on one to improve their health, which is so important.

2. What are your main projects; which communities do you primarily work with?
I primaraly work with the Hispanic community, outreach in the community,  I do diabetes glucose testing , teaching individuals how to use a glucose monitor, suggestions on exercise eating healthy and advice of the importance of doctor visits.  I have also just been added to Sage Plus program  (cardio vascular screening, education, diagnostic evaluation for woman and life style intervention), were I’ll be able to work with life style counciling.
 
3. What have been some of your greatest accomplishments as a CHW thus far?
In my short time here I think my greatest acomplishment has been connecting with patients when doing outreach, especially when I can help them take charge of their health.