MCHD joins USA to host Community Health Worker Professional Development Forum
December 14, 2022
MCHD joins USA to host Community Health Worker Professional Development Forum
MOBILE, Ala. – On December 8, the USA Center for Health Communities in partnership with the Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) hosted a Community Health Worker Professional Development Forum. The event was for newly and established certified Community Health Workers (CHW) as a part of the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s Community Health Workers for COVID-19 Response and Resilient Communities (CCR) grant initiative awarded to MCHD in August 2021.
CHW’s are trusted members of the communities in which they live, work, and play who help individuals and families enhance their health, access to services, and improve health outcomes especially in disadvantaged communities.
Presenters at the event included the All of Us research project, Southern Alabama Area Health Education Center, Lyvve Strategies, Lifelines Counseling Services, Health Equity and Population Health of the Jefferson County Department of Health, Temple Center for Population Health at Temple University, and Southern Regional Planning Commission/Area Agency on Aging.
CHW’s enjoyed open discussions on the future of community health workers in our area, a presentation on administering Narcan to help combat the rise of opioid overdoses, the distinct characteristics that make up the communities of Mobile County, and the benefits of Medicaid and Medicare services. Participants also enjoyed lunch, group sessions, and networking.
Several certified CHW’s with the MCHD Community Health Worker program and community-based organizations were present including Tokie Dunn, Director of Community Prevention Programs; Tiffany Taylor, CHW Program Administrative Support Specialist; and Sydnie Fleming, CHW Outreach Educator. Also present was Royce Smith, MCHD Maternal & Child Health Coordinator.
Dr. Kevin Philip Michaels, Health Officer for Mobile County, gave the opening remarks along with Dr. Martha Arrieta, Director of Research for USA Centers for Healthy Communities.