Community Health Programs


WHAT ARE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS

Community health workers (CHWs) are lay members of communities who work with the local health care system in both urban and rural environments and usually share ethnicity, language, socioeconomic status and life experiences with the community members they serve. CHWs serve as peer educators, providing culturally appropriate health education and information; assist people in receiving the care they need; give informal counseling and guidance on health behaviors; advocate for individual and community health needs; and provide some direct services such as first aid and blood pressure screening.

OCHC has five CHWs who are part of the clinic's Community Health Connection (CHC) Initiative, which is OCHC's outreach and education program. CHWs are the backbone of the CHC Initiative because they provide the services in the community and ensure patients receive care and support services. Three of OCHC's CHWs are also doulas. A doula is a trained labor support person who provides emotional and physical support to a laboring woman and her partner.

The CHWs at Open Cities Health Center:

  • Serve as a bridge between patients and OCHC providers
  • Help patients and community members with referrals for many different services including housing, food, clothing, and specialty health care services.
  • Help patients and community members grow and thrive.

    Some of the direct services CHWs provide include:

  • Prenatal classes/Childbirth classes
  • Doula/birthing companion services
  • Breast feeding classes
  • Free pregnancy tests
  • Car seat classes
  • Dental screenings
  • Childcare referrals & WCC education
  • STI/HIV education
  • Rent & Housing Information
  • Food Shelf Referrals
  • Assistance in getting cribs, Pampers, clothing, medicine.
  • NEW! WIC clinic at OCHC.s Midway site
  • Diabetic education and support groups (in English and Hmong)
  • Breast and cervical cancer screenings
  • Prostate Cancer Education
  • Quit smoking through QuitPlan


    Contact information for OCHC's Community Health Workers & other program staff:

    Char: (651) 290-9215
    Cora: (651) 251-5953
    Pa: (651) 290-9215

    OCHC's Health Disparities Director:
    Roxanne Tisdale: (651) 251-5969

    OCHC's Program Manager:
    Melinda Donaway: (651) 251-5951



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