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Who makes the best Community HEalth Workers?
Preferred CHW Attributes
When selecting candidates to enter a Community Health Worker training program look for the natural leaders in a community who are already doing the work. Look for people who have the trust of their community, have a deep cultural and linguistic knowledge of the community to be served, are intrinsically compassionate and non judgmental. These intrinsic aspects of a person are very hard, if not impossible to teach in a classroom setting.
Paving a Path to Advance the CHW Workforce
Preferred CHW Attributes (P 15)
- Community member OR have a close understanding of the community they serve
- Shared life experiences
- Desires to help the community
Persistent, Creative and Resourceful
- Determined
- Imaginative
- Ingenious
- Courageous
- Prudent
- Temperate
- Wise
Empathetic, Caring, Compassionate
- Kind
- Gentle
- Considerate
- Sensitive
Open Minded/ Non Judgmental/ Relativistic/Non-Dualistic
- Unbiased
- Flexible
- Tolerant
- Sincere
- Candid
- Polite
- Courteous
Dependable, Responsible, Reliable
- Trustworthy
- Loyal
- Motivated and capable of self directed work
- Committed and dedicated
- Gracious
- Pleasant
- Responsive
- Welcoming
Primary Characteristics and Values of Promotores
Vision Y Compromiso
The Promotor Model-A Model for Building Healthy Communities; A Framing Paper March 29, 2011 ( 47 pages of great information- here is a little taste! see link below to read the whole paper) http://www.visionycompromiso.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/TCE_Promotores-Framing-Paper.pdf
Primary Characteristics and Values of Promotores
- Promotores create and cultivate egalitarian relationships based on mutual trust, understanding and respect.
- Promotores are committed to sharing information and resources.
- Promotores approach the community with empathy, love and compassion.
- Promotores are accessible and trusted members of the community where they live.
- Promotores share similar life experiences as the community.
- Promotores have a profound desire to serve the community, are tireless in their service, and limitless in their generosity of spirit.
- Promotores communicate in the language of the people and are knowledgeable about the community’s cultural traditions.
- Promotores are a two-way bridge connecting the community to resources and ensuring that institutions respond to community needs.
- Promotores are natural advocates who are committed to social justice.
- Promotores are effective role models for community change.
The National Health Advisor Study
Summary 1998
Community Health Advisors (CHA) help people take greater control over their health and their lives. They promote healthy living by educating about how to prevent disease and injury as well as how to access health and human service systems. The National Community Health Advisory Study identified steps to strengthen outreach services of CHAs across the country. The study was funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
Table of Contents
2. Methodology & Study Participants (pp. 8-10)
3. Core Roles and Competencies of Community Health Advisors (pp. 11-17)
Study Chapter written by Noel Wiggins, MSPH (Assisted by Angelina Borbon, PHN)
4. Evaluating CHA Services (pp. 18-24)
Study Chapter written by J. Nell Brownstein, PhD (Assisted by E. Lee Rosenthal, MPH)
5. Community Health Advisors - A Career in Development (pp. 25-33)
Study Chapter written by E. Lee Rosenthal, MPH
Study Youth Supplement written by Roberta Rael, et al.
6. Community Health Advisors in the Changing Health System (pp. 34-41)
Study Chapter written by Sarah Johnson, MSW, MPH
7. Conclusion (pp. 42-44)
Study Chapter written by E. Lee Rosenthal, MPH
Summary of Core Recommendations - Reference Page (pp. 45-46)
Capacity building is like shinning a rough cut diamond
Adult Learning
Community Health Workers come to their work with a passion resulting from lived experience of some of the same challenges faced by those they serve. It is important to recognize and value this source of knowledge.