Partnerships for Community Health Worker Programs

Many existing CHW programs have established partnerships with other community organizations and consider these relationships to be important to success. These partners may serve as funders for rural CHW programs and provide guidance for the program.

Potential partners for CHW programs include:

• Public health organizations
• Universities and colleges
• Health and dental plans
• Foundations
• Government organizations
• Community service organizations
• Volunteer groups
• Multicultural alliances and associations
• Local hospitals or clinics
• State and local health departments
• Faith-based organizations

CHWs that work with partners such as hospitals to deliver services to patients must be properly introduced to staff at the partner organization. This ensures other health workers, such as nurses or social workers, understand the CHWs' role, do not perceive CHWs as a threat to their duties, and understand the unique value and contributions of CHWs.