Community Health Workers Model

Community health workers (CHWs) can help coordinate or manage healthcare for individuals with complex health conditions. They serve as a connection between the target group and health and human services organizations. They also provide healthcare information and education, navigation, transportation coordination, and appointment scheduling and reminders. The Rural Community Health Workers Toolkit provides additional information about the CHW Care Coordinator/Case Manager Model.

Examples of Rural Community Health Worker Programs

• The Bi-State Primary Care Association partnered with the University of Vermont Extension and the Open Door Clinic to create the Bridges to Health program. The program aims to decrease barriers to care faced by migrant farmworkers by using care coordinators and CHWs to connect them to health services. CHWs provide the following services: transportation, translation, appointment scheduling, education on available healthcare services, and feedback to rural healthcare providers on improving access.
• Other Community Health Worker Programs can be found in the Rural Community Health Workers Toolkit - Program Clearinghouse.