National Association of Community Health Workers (NACHW) Annual Meeting and Unity Conference

Theme – CHWs: The past, present, and future of community care
August 3rd – 4th, 2022

Day 1 – August 3
Day 2 – August 4

NACHW Annual Business Meeting

7:00-9:00 AM (HST) | 9:00-11:00 AM (PST) | 12:00-2:00 PM (EST)

  • Welcome & Business Meeting Call
  • Report from NACHW Treasurer
  • Presentation by NACHW Executive Director Denise Smith
  • New Board Members’ Nominations and Elections

30 MIN BREAK for non-NACHW members and 20 MIN voting session for active NACHW members

UNITY Conference Opening Session

9:30-10:55 AM (HST) | 11:30-12:55 PM (PST) | 2:30-3:55 PM (EST)

  • CHWs Special Video
  • Welcome & Opening
  • In memory of CHWs & CHRs lost during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • New Board Induction Ceremony
  • CHW Hope and Care Awards Ceremony
  • Special Keynote Speaker : Joy Harjo, United States Poet Laureate
  • Overview of Conference Agenda Day 1

Workshops First Round

11:10-12:10 PM (HST) | 1:10-2:10 PM (PST) | 4:10-5:10 PM (EST)

Choose from one of the following workshops.

Session A

A. Oreta Tupolawith “Our Fight for Representation and How to Remain at the Decision-Making Table: CHW Collaboration in Utah!”

➢ Learn how to create a clear scope of practice mission and vision, develop strong partnerships, be consistent in your message as an organization on the importance of inclusion, witness real-life experiences as evidence of our community expertise, and more!

Session B

B. Rebecca Lindsay, Philesha Gough, Linda Reyes, and Felicia Lane with “CHW-led Programs to Improve Pain Management and Healthy Functioning in Older Adults”

➢ Describe what is non-medication chronic pain self-management and what this looks like for older adults. Name several ways that CHWs can support older adults in learning non-medication chronic pain self-management skills while addressing social determinants of health, and explain barriers, challenges, and potential solutions for older adults with chronic pain when engaging in healthy activities, especially in underserved communities.

Session C

C. Melody Meanor and Adriana Torres-Ramirez with “DHEC Midlands CHWs Called into Action for Pandemic Response and Beyond”

➢ Describe activities and methods used by CHWs in reaching vulnerable populations. Analyze the impact of the CHW team on vulnerable populations in addressing the social determinants of health, as related to COVID-19, and discuss how CHWs can be integrated into existing public health programs post COVID-19 pandemic response.

Session D

D. Betsy Rodriguez and Maria Covernali with “Awareness of Type 2 Diabetes in Communities: Approaches for Online Delivery of the New CDC “Road to Health” CHW Toolkit”

➢ Learn how the Road to Health (RTH) toolkit can amplify community health worker outreach and message related to type 2 diabetes prevention efforts at a community level. Create a plan to implement RTH virtually and discuss tips from CHWs to make RTH work in the community where you serve.

Session E

E. Aurinés Torres-Sánchez, Judith Edwards Clemente and Anabela Fuentes García with “¿Cómo podemos apoyar a cuidadoras informales de adultos mayores?: una investigación participativa de promotoras de salud de Puerto Rico.”(Eng. How can we support informal caregivers of older adults?: a participatory research of health promoters in Puerto Rico.)

➢ Explicar los orígenes de las promotoras de salud de Loíza, Puerto Rico utilizando el “Modelo Boricua de Formación de Promotoras de Salud Comunitaria” y su práctica en el laboratorio comunitario de Taller Salud. Definir el propósito de la investigación acción participativa (IAP). Identificar los aprendizajes personales y profesionales que tuvieron algunas de las promotoras a raíz de la investigación. ¡Y mucho mas!

Workshops Second Round

12:25-1:25 PM (HST) | 2:25-3:25 PM (PST) | 5:25-6:25 PM (EST)

Choose from one of the following workshops.

Session A

A. Richard Rabin, Milagros Barreto and Brenda Quintana with “Community Health Workers Should be Worker Advocates”

➢ Describe common workplace conditions that threaten the health and well-being of low-income, immigrants, and other disadvantaged workers, and explain how community health workers can help these employees to improve those conditions at work that affect their health and well-being.

Session B

B. Kenjuan Watkins from Cabarrus Health Alliance with “Spilling the Tea on HIV: Using Conversation to Reduce HIV Stigma in Our Communities”

➢ Learn what it really means to test positive for HIV. Discuss the stigma that comes from HIV/AIDS. Develop ways to help community members prioritize their health needs, and recognize psychosocial issues related to HIV infection.

Session C

C. Hailey Easley and Lucy Nguyen with “CHW Navigation Services for Asian Immigrant Communities in Austin, TX”

➢ Learn the many steps and considerations in providing accessible support for Asian immigrant communities. This includes developing a community-specific CHW service model, conducting outreach, identifying staff training, developing a Language Access Plan, understanding the resources needed to facilitate language access, and much more!

Session D

D. Jake Tanumihardjo, Megan Nieto, Pilar Sanchez, and Grant Shaft with “Barriers and Innovative Approaches to Supporting Medicaid Patients with CHW Services in Minnesota”

➢ Review the common barriers to accessing Medicaid reimbursement for CHW services in Minnesota and how these barriers may translate to other states. Discuss impactful strategies that have successfully addressed key barriers to CHW service accessibility. Outline critical recommendations for healthcare organizations and states seeking to deliver and receive payment for CHW services.

Session E

E. Alivio Medical Center with “Providing Culturally Appropriate Care in Diversifying Suburbs of Chicago, CHW lessons from a Federally Qualified Health Center”

➢ Gain an understanding of how CHWs provide support in a Federally Qualified Health Center setting, and how they have integrated into the care teams. Learn from examples of culturally appropriate approaches to health care, in a diversifying suburban area (particularly in the Latino/a communities). Hear testimonies and lessons from experienced CHWs working in the field.

Roundtable Discussions

1:40-2:40 PM (HST) | 3:40-4:40 PM (PST) | 6:40-7:40 PM (EST)

Choose from one of the following facilitated roundtable discussions.

Session 1

Session 1: CHW National Policy Strategy Session and Call to Action

➢ Facilitated by Durrel Fox and Ashley Wennerstrom, Co-Chairs of the NACHW Policy Committee

Session 2

Session 2: Fundraising: Is It for Me?

➢ Facilitated byMaria Lemus and Julie Smithwick from the NACHW Development Committee

Session 3

Session 3: Roundtable for Community Health Representatives (CHRs) on Their Role in Transforming Healthcare Systems and Public Health

➢ Facilitated by Michelle Archuleta from Indian Health Services and NACHW Staff Member Josie Scheindlinger

Session 4

Session 4: Building a National Community of CHW Networks, Organizations, Associations, and Coalitions

➢ Facilitated by NACHW CHW Network Policy and Advocacy Manager, Angie Kuzma

Session 5

Session 5: Roundtable for Community Health Workers Working to Prevent and Manage Diabetes and Heart Disease

➢ Facilitated by Mercedes Cruz from HealthBridge4U

Session 6

Session 6: Pathways to Progression: How Can Allies and CHWs Work Together for Career Advancement and Growth

➢ Facilitated by Lily Lee and Kim Jay from the NACHW Workforce Development Committee

Session 7

Session 7: “Generando el Poder Colectivo: Las Oportunidades y Lecciones Durante una Pandemia” (Generating Collective Power: Opportunities and Lessons During a Pandemic).

➢ Facilitated in Spanish by NACHW Board Member, Ricardo Garay