Research shows that community health workers are proven leaders in the fight to end health disparities and increase vaccine equity. Health Departments in Virginia relied on paid community health workers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, but as emergency funds ran out, they lost the resources to keep these important staff members employed. In the 2024 General Assembly, VICPP led work to win 6.4 million in funding to support community health workers at local health departments and worked with a strong coalition to support legislation that would support Medicaid reimbursement for community health workers. Check out this FACT SHEET to learn more about the CHW legislation we supported in the 2024 General Assembly.
“A community health worker (CHW) is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the worker to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery.” —American Public Health Association
Here are some great resources
VACHWA: State-wide CHW Network
IPHI: Core skills competency training
CHW Flyer
