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
«  
  »
S M T W T F S
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
 
2
 
3
 
4
 
5
 
6
 
7
 
8
 
9
 
10
 
11
 
12
 
13
 
14
 
15
 
16
 
17
 
18
 
19
 
20
 
21
 
22
 
23
 
24
 
25
 
26
 
27
 
28
 
29
 
30
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Add to calendar
CHW Peer Network Chairs

Peer Network Co-Chair Comfort Dondo-Dewey of Portico HealthNet

Sophia London of Face to Face Health and Counseling Service

CHW of the Quarter

Community Health Worker of the Quarter 2012

Comfort Dondo-Dewey (Portico HealthNet)

 

What ispired you to become a community health worker?
My own personal health disparity led me to Portico, where I currently work, and the services they offer. It was at that time that I learned that I wanted to help people who were having their own type of health crises. 
 
What are your main projects; which communities do you primarily work with?
Women and children are my main focus. I also do quite a bit of work with the African immigrant community as I think it is important to work with familiar communities. More recently, likely due to the economy, I am working with people from all different populations. I like this because everyone has a different story to share.
 
What have been some of your greatest accomplishments as a CHW thus far?
I feel my greatest accomplishment was when a woman with HIV came to me; she was very sick at the time and was desperately in need of antiretroviral medications. I was very worried about this woman and spent a lot of time and energy calling pharmacies and even the manufacturer in hopes of attaining the medications through a donation. I ended up donating my own money to her and was able to help her continue on her HIV regime until she was able to get insurance through Minnesota Care.
 
If you weren’t working as a CHW what would you want to be doing?
If I wasn’t working as a CHW I would possibly work as a nurse, but definitely something health related.
 
What advice do you have for CHWs who are new or just starting out?
My advice would be to get into this work for the right reasons. You can only do this job if your heart is in it because you want to enjoy it and be effective at your work. Also, be prepared to give a lot of yourself for this job.
 
If you had to describe CHWs to someone who knew nothing about their work, which three words would you choose?
I would describe the work of a CHW as a bridge or intermediary between the system and the individual needing help, the CHW helps both parties understand the other side.
 
What do you do for fun?
For fun I spend time with my son, go swimming, reading a good book and travelling.
 
How do you take care of yourself?
I take care of myself by keeping a good balance in my life between work, family, and all other aspects. I try to be the best that I can be in all parts of my life so I feel that keeping a balance is very important.
 
Click here to view past CHWs of the Quarter