Welcome to the Washington State Community Health Workers Association (WACHWA) page! Join us: https://waportal.org/partners/home ___________________________________________________________________________________ Our mission: Meeting the needs of the diverse Community Health Worker workforce by continuously improving training, professional development, communication and access to resources and job opportunities. ___________________________________________________________________________________ Our 4 focus areas: • Professional Development: Education and skill training on topics that are important to CHWS • Networking: Connect with and learn from other CHWs across the state to support one another by sharing common experiences and resources • Advocacy: Identify issues that are important to CHWs and work with others to encourage local, regional and state policymakers to address the issue • Sustainability: Developing a structure that helps the CHW Association to grow and sustain to include a transitional leadership team ___________________________________________________________________________________ Community Health Workers (CHWs): “A 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.” ___________________________________________________________________________________ Benefits to becoming a member of WACHWA: • Build a network of CHWs in Washington State • Teach and learn new skills • Share questions and recommendations • Give presentations at CHW events • Find resources, opportunities and news online • Help design the role of CHWs in Washington State ___________________________________________________________________________________