Whatcom Community Health Worker Network - Whatcom Family Community Network

We are a network of Community Health Workers (CHWs) that work toward growth and unification of CHWs in Whatcom County by:

Supporting Community Health Workers
Helping organizations better serve our communities
Engaging in advocacy

Community Health Workers are defined in Washington State as:

“… a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the worker to serve as a liaison/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery.”
Titles could include:

- - - Promotores
    - Community Health Representatives
    - Faith Community Nurses
    - Peer Counselors
    - Resource Navigators
    - Family Liaisons
    - Community Connectors
    - Community Health Advocates
    - Care Coordinators
    - Case Managers, and others.

All are considered CHWs if their role meets the definition.

Monthly Meetings

collection of CHWs at our August 2019 monthly meeting at Roosevelt Neighborhood Resource Center

Meetings are open to all. General meetings are held on the 4th Friday of the month and are rotated among the Network members.

Our Next CHW Network Monthly meeting will be held:

We are on summer hiatus (2021)! We hold our meetings over Zoom on the 4th Friday of the month from 9-11 a.m. Please email us to be added to the invite list!

To join our list and get updates for upcoming meetings and events, email WhatcomCHWNetwork@outlook.com.

Like us on Facebook for quicker updates – Whatcom CHW Network

***Guests who wish to make a presentation to the group must seek approval from the Coordinating Committee to be added to the agenda. Please email WhatcomCHWNetwork@outlook.com for more information.

To see past meeting minutes and our newsletters, please click here.

Housing Panel meeting recording.

Mental Health Panel meeting recording.

Membership

All self-identified CHWs are welcome to attend meetings, join the Network Contact List to receive information about meetings and other Network communications, vote on organizational action and coordinating committee members. Dues are currently not a part of membership.

Allies (supervisors, managers, interested community members, etc.) may also attend meetings and request to be on the Network Contact List.

Leadership Structure and Decision-Making

The Whatcom CHW Network has a Coordinating Committee (CC), which is a committee of service to, not power over the Network. No decisions are made solely by the CC, without input from or criteria set by the larger group.

Statement on Black Lives Matter June 8, 2020

The Whatcom Community Health Worker Network stands as an ally of Black Lives Matter. We represent community members and social service workers who daily see the causes of systemic oppression and determinedly do our work to support and uplift marginalized communities.

Among the many ways to support Black Lives Matter and marginalized people of color is education. We are committed to connecting you to racial equity training for your profession. We have posted a free online webinar, called Racism: the Ultimate Underlying Condition by the American Public Health Association, taking place on June 9, and highly encourage you to attend. We will be continuing to find equity trainings for our Network, online and one day, in person.

We also encourage you to support Black-owned businesses; volunteering time with an organization that supports racial equality and human rights; go to BlackLivesMatter.com to find organizations to donate money or sign their petitions; and educating yourself by reading and watching Black writers and artists. Many folks on social media are sharing their media lists, and the Whatcom County Library system has an Anti-Racist Reading List with several free e-books and audiobooks available.

We also urge that when you are in public, keep yourselves and your communities safe from exposure to COVID-19 by social distancing, wearing a mask, and washing your hands or sanitizing frequently. It is heartbreaking to be fighting so many battles at once.

Additional Resource Materials

Click titles below to access a downloadable version.

CHW Network Charter

CHW Network Coordinating Committee Charter

2016 CHW Task Force Report to the WA State Legislature

2019 CHW Task Force Report to the WA State Legislature