ABOUT THE COALITION

The Florida Community Health Worker Coalition (FCHWC) is a tax exempt nonprofit organization championing for the advancement of the Community Health Worker (CHW) profession. To promote its mission and plans, the Coalition considers input from a variety of stakeholders through conference calls, focus groups, surveys of members, and by regions and its signature Annual Florida Community Health Worker Summit.

The Coalition began in February 2011 as an initiative of the Policy, Environmental and Systems Change (PES) grant awarded to the Florida Department of Health. The grant supported creation of a task force to explore current research, including CHW models, curriculum, and best practices in order to create a viable market place for Community Health Workers. The CHW initiative aligns with the Governor-appointed Cancer Control and Research Advisory Council’s (CCRAB).

The Coalition’s structure consists of a Board of Directors, two co-presidents, and five working subgroups including Policy, Curriculum, Practice, Networking/Sustainability, and Research. These working subgroups are usually co-chaired by a CHW, CHW ally and a member of the Board of Directors. The Subgroups address specific action items and/or CHW-related issues as determined by its members and “reports back” to the coalition.

FCHWC members choose the subgroups in which they wish to participate. Co-Presidents, and the Co-Chairs or the Board of Directors may appoint or request other members/partners to participate in working subgroups if necessary to assure expertise is available for educational and policy development purposes.  The Coalition has 900+ members. 

WHAT IS A COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER?

A CHW is a frontline health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the CHW to serve as a link between services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery.

American Public Health Association CHW Section:  APHA COMMUNITY SECTION-CHW

Also called: Promotoras de Salud, lay health worker, peer educator, health navigator, community health representative, health educator, peer counselor/specialist, outreach worker, community connector, among others.

OUR VISION

To be the leader in support and advocacy for Community Health Workers and their allies.

OUR MISSION

The Florida Community Health Worker Coalition is a statewide multisector partnership dedicated to the promotion of the Community Health Worker profession and serving underrepresented and underserved groups impacted by health disparities through collaboration, training, advocacy, and leadership.