Community Organizer and Capacity Builder Model
In this model, community health workers (CHWs) help organize community members, build capacity, and promote community action to address local needs.
In this model, the core skills of a CHW include communication, relationship building, critical thinking, and problem-solving. These skills enable CHWs to:
- Help individuals and communities identify and prioritize local needs
- Provide support for identifying and using available resources to meet community needs
- Motivate community members to engage with decision-makers to seek specific policy and social changes that affect their community
- Provide advocacy to help address community needs
- Facilitate decision-making among community member and partners
- Build relationships and collaborate with community partners
- Build or participate in rural networks and coalitions
In this model, CHWs may be employed by a community organization, healthcare provider, or other organization. To support a coordinated approach to serving the community, CHWs build relationships with a wide range of individuals and organizations, including:
- Public health organizations
- Coalitions
- Grassroots organizations
- Healthcare providers
- Faith-based groups
- Universities
- Government agencies
Example of Rural Community Organizer and Capacity Builder Model
- The Northern Dental Access Center Medical-Legal Partnership provides support services to patients with low incomes in rural Minnesota. Dental patients complete a self-screening document to identify legal or other issues that may be interfering with their health. CHWs support patient advocacy and care coordination.
Implementation Considerations
In this model, CHWs must possess extensive knowledge of the existing services, programs, and systems within the community to effectively connect individuals with appropriate resources and advocate for community needs. Often, CHWs will need to navigate resource constraints, such as limited funding, staffing, and materials. CHWs must be able to develop strategies to maximize available resources and leverage community partnerships to achieve program goals. In addition, CHWs must feel comfortable articulating their ideas in front of groups of people and engaging with other community organizations. The ability to articulate ideas and build relationships is vital for fostering collaboration and driving meaningful change.