What Is a Community Health Worker (CHW)?
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are trusted, frontline public health professionals who connect individuals and communities to healthcare and social services. In Minnesota, CHWs are recognized as essential partners in improving health outcomes and advancing equity by bridging cultural and systemic gaps in care.
Who Are CHWs?
CHWs are community members with lived experience, cultural insight, and strong relationships that enable trust and effective support. Recognized through Minnesota’s CHW Certificate Program, the nation’s first statewide standardized training, CHWs hold a vital role in the healthcare workforce.
They are known by many titles: Health Navigators, Peer Educators, Promotores de Salud, and more all sharing a mission to empower communities and promote equitable health systems
What Do CHWs Do?
- Educating communities about health and wellness
- Coordinating care and referring to resources
- Navigating healthcare and social services
- Supporting mental health and chronic disease management
- Addressing social determinants of health
- Advocating for individuals and communities
- Building trust between clients and providers
Where Do CHWs Work in Minnesota?
- Community health clinics & public health departments
- Mental and behavioral health programs
- Schools and early childhood centers
- Senior and aging services
- Nonprofits and advocacy organizations
- Housing and homeless outreach
- Tribal health programs
- Virtual and telehealth platforms
Minnesota supports CHW integration through Medicaid reimbursement and collaborative care models, expanding their impact and sustainability.
Core Qualities of a CHW
- Cultural connection and trustworthiness
- Strong communication and listening
- Compassion and empathy
- Critical thinking and problem-solving
- Multilingual and cross-cultural skills
- Resilience and adaptability
Commitment to equity and empowerment
Supporting Minnesota’s CHW Workforce
CHW Concepts LLC is a Minnesota-based, woman-owned public health consulting firm dedicated to empowering CHWs and the organizations that support them. Our services include:
- Culturally responsive training and education
- Strategic program design and consultation
- Leadership development and capacity building
- Systems integration and sustainability planning
- Technical assistance for clinics, nonprofits, and public health agencies
- Advocacy for CHW policies and workforce growth