Recommendations for Federal and State COVID-19 Vaccine and Testing Equity

How Federal and State Government Can Improve COVID-19 Vaccine and Testing Equity and Build More Sustainable Public Health Infrastructure (October 12, 2022) Communities and organizations across the country have been critical partners for local, state, and national COVID-19 initiatives, working to educate people about covidtests.gov and help them order free tests. From January until August, […]

NACHW Response to CMS Medicare Advantage program and Medicare Part B Payment for Services Involving Community Health Workers (CHWs)

NACHW has responded to an RFI (Request For Information) from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid on the Medicare Advantage program (CMS-4203-NC) and Medicare Part B Payment for Services Involving Community Health Workers (CHWs) (CMS-1770-P). NACHW has responded with recommendations that are informed by the experiences and input of our CHW members who are employed […]

Your 2022 candidates for the Board of Directors

All current members of NACHW in good standing, as of July 11th, 2022 are eligible to vote for new Board members at this year’s Unity conference. There are 7 positions open and 9 candidates. Please take some time to watch all of the videos to hear from our candidates about why they want to join […]

Re: Gun Violence across the United States

Our hearts at NACHW are with the communities of Tulsa, OK, Uvalde, TX, Buffalo, NY, Laguna Woods, CA, and all communities affected by gun violence. Please read this statement from NACHW Executive Director, Denise Smith regarding gun violence in the United States. Statement here

Pandemic Funding is Running Out for Community Health Workers

Originally published on April 6th, 2022 GRANITE CITY, Ill. — As a community health worker, 46-year-old Christina Scott is a professional red-tape cutter, hand-holder, shoulder to cry on, and personal safety net, all wrapped into one. She works in an office in the shadow of the steel mill that employed her grandfather in this shrinking […]

Addressing Systemic Inequities and Racism in Community-Based Organization Funding

Originally published November 15th, 2021 The COVID-19 pandemic has both strained and exposed our country’s deep under-investment and under-valuing of community-based organizations (CBOs) and workforces (CBWs) – including food banks, churches, shelters, health advocates/navigators, Promotores and others – like never before. These organizations and community members have long played a critical role in delivering services and support tailored to address the downstream […]

Kids will soon be getting the vaccine, but several equity issues still stand in the way for BIPOC

Originally published October 29th, 2021 Twenty-eight million children are one step closer to receiving their COVID-19 vaccines. This week, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee voted to authorize the Pfizer vaccine for all kids ages 5-11 after reviewing clinical trial data. The vaccine is slightly different than the one for adults:  “The main difference is […]

COVID-19 front lines need community health workers, yet they’re not getting needed support

Originally published May 4, 2021 As a community health worker and executive director of the National Association of Community Health Workers, I’ve spent the past year gathering insights about the mental and emotional challenges for the people on the front lines of pandemic response in neighborhoods across America. I know well the anxiety and guilt they feel trying to comfort and support […]

To Strengthen The Public Health Response To COVID-19, We Need Community Health Workers

Originally published May 6th, 2020 The public health system is a critical firewall to reduce community spread of COVID-19 and to relieve the unsustainable pressure the US health care system is experiencing as a result of the pandemic. Community health workers (CHWs)—frontline public health staff who conduct outreach and build trust with vulnerable populations in […]

NACHW: Funding Opportunities to Help Your Local Community!

Looking to support local community-based organizations in solving issues like food insecurity, COVID-related funerary expenses, vaccination assistance, and others? We have several opportunities collected here for your consideration!   HRIA: Community-Based Workforce to Build COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence   The purpose of the program is to strengthen vaccine confidence, provide further information and education on the […]