Impactful blog post from our very own, Ruhi Nath, MPH,  Manager of Equity and Impact, Massachusetts Association of Community Health Workers (MACHW)

From “The Better Care Playbook”
Date/Time of Webinar:  Monday, April 5, 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET
Register here: https://chcs.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ldwjgW6_QSOjUJjs3hwGNg


Team-based care models that maximize the roles of social workers and community health workers (CHWs) can improve outcomes for older adults with complex health and social needs. As health systems and health plans explore incorporating these positions into care teams, they need to identify how to best structure these positions and how to sustain these models for the long-term to address the deep complexity of patient needs.

SCAN Health Plan in California developed Connecting Provider to Home (CP2H), a community-based intervention embedded in primary care practices and led by a social worker and CHW, to address unmet social needs of older adults. In a recently published study comparing program enrollees to a control group, this program was associated with significant reductions in acute care use and improved patient satisfaction, quality of care, and communication from the CHW-social worker care team.

The 60-minute webinar, hosted by the Better Care Playbook and made possible through support from the Seven Foundation Collaborative, will share practical implementation considerations of the CP2H program that could support other health plans and provider groups in developing community-based care models that use the strengths of social workers and CHWs.

This webinar is part of a new Better Care Playbook series, Inside Complex Care, that is showcasing models or tools with demonstrated evidence, taking a practical look at implementation logistics to help spread promising and evidence-based strategies. Ample opportunities will be available for participant questions.

The National Association of Community Health Workers has witnessed the compassion, commitment, and character of CHWs and CBOS who have been on the frontlines of Covid-19 response in some of the hardest hit communities over the past two years.

Masks, tests, vaccines, and access to monoclonal antibodies have been critical for us to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and its variants, keep our communities safe, our schools and businesses open and to treat those who become ill!

The WH plan FACT SHEET: Consequences of Lack of Funding for Efforts to Combat COVID-19 if Congress Does Not Act | The White House confirms that without this critical action from Congress and funding to combat COVID-19, we’ll be without free vaccines and treatments and unable to monitor new variants.

Use this tool developed by “Be a Hero,” to sign a letter in support of additional COVID-19 funding and send letters to your Senators and Representative. The petition is at https://heroes.win/COVID. When people sign this petition, it will automatically email their Congressional members!

Currently, more than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and over 11 million provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. Unfortunately the prevalence is higher in the Black/African American and Hispanic communities, and the Alzheimer’s Association is working to address these gaps and raise awareness by providing education and support to the millions who face dementia every day, while advancing critical research toward methods of treatment, prevention and, ultimately, a cure.

The Alzheimer’s Association offers a 24/7 Helpline (800-272-3900) for confidential support and information in over 200 languages, education programs, support groups, connection to dementia and aging-related resources, and online access to information and resources on our website alz.org/MANH

The association also offers 30-minute education programs in Spanish and English about the warning signs of Alzheimer’s, disease information and brain health. These programs can be virtual, by phone, or in-person.

Next free virtual event: the New England Family Caregiver Conference, on March 4th and 5th, with a special session in Spanish on March 5th featuring a panel of caregivers (please see attached flyer) AlzTalks Flyer Feb 2022

The pandemic has revealed what we in public health have known for some time; there are real divisions in the way we address health care in our country. Sadly, these disparities were never more evident in the way people of color suffered under the clutches of COVID-19, in all its forms. We can do better. With the professionalism, training and incredible network offered through our association, we strive each day to break down barriers to quality health care through the incredible commitment of Community Health Workers (CHWs). As we celebrate the important history of the Black community this month, let us not forget the sacrifices made, and yet how far we have to go to ensure everyone has access to quality health care. CHWs make this happen every day! Thank you for your hard work and dedication!

Sincerely,
Lissette Blondet,
Executive Director, MACHW

The Boston Public Health Commission seeks to hire (4) new full-time CHW’s!

The title will be: Public Health Advocate II (under the umbrella of the ‘Boston Community Health Workers for COVID Response and Resilient
Communities’).

Check out the attached job description here: PH II Job description

To apply online please go to http://www.bphc.org/careers and search for requisition number: 1585