A practical guide to becoming a community health worker
Foundations for Community Health Workers provides a practical and comprehensive introduction to essential skills for professionals in community health roles. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a greater need than ever for compassionate community health workers trained in the core competencies and guiding principles that can empower individuals to lead healthy lives. With an emphasis on social justice, cultural humility, and client-centered practice, this book offers a solid background in professional skills and their application. Real-life case studies and quotes from community health workers illustrate the challenges and successes that learners will face on the job. Readers will also gain skills in conflict resolution, group facilitation, community organizing, trauma support, and more, equipping them to enter the public health field with confidence and safety.
- Learn about the public health field and the skills needed to become a community health worker
- Gain skills in interacting with people from diverse backgrounds and circumstances
- Develop a background in client interviewing, community advocacy, and facilitating community health trainings
- Read case studies from real community health workers
This book, in its updated Third Edition, is a valuable introduction and reference for anyone working toward a career as a community health worker.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments ixContributors xi
About the Companion Website xiv
Introduction xv
Part 1: Community Health Work: the Big Picture 1
1. The Role of Community Health Workers- Serving with Skills and Compassion 3
Darouny Somsanith and Susan Mayfield-Johnson
2. The Evolution of the CHW Field in the United States: The Path We Walk-The Mountains We Climbed 29
E. Lee Rosenthal, Paige Menking, Floribella Redondo-Martinez and J. Nell Brownstein
3. An Introduction to Public Health 65
Rama Ali Kased and Savita Malik
4. Promoting Health Equity 91
Amie Fishman and Pau I. Crego
Part 2: Core Compentencies for Providing Direct Services 113
5. Guiding Principles: Self-Awareness, Ethics, Professional Boundaries and Teamwork 115
James Figueiredo and Marilyn Gardner
6. Behavior Change and Person-Centered Practice 147
Tim Berthold
7. Practicing Cultural Humility 165
Alberta Rincon and Pau I. Crego
8. Conducting Initial Client Assessments 189
Tim Berthold and Lorena Carmona
9. Person-Centered Counseling and Motivational Interviewing 219
Tim Berthold and Darouny Somsanith
10. Case Management 259
Tim Berthold and Cristina Arellano
11. Conducting Home Visits 299
Tim Berthold and Francis Julian Montgomery
Part 3: Enhancing Professional Skills 329
12. Stress, Health, and Self-Care 331
Tim Berthold
13. Conflict Resolution 355
Tim Berthold
14. Professional Skills: Getting a Job, Keeping a Job, and Growing on the Job 377
Jimmy Ly and Thelma Gamboa-Maldonado
Part 4: Applying Core Competencies to Key Health Issues 403
15. Health Care is Reentry: Promoting the Health of People who have Experienced Incarceration 405
Amie Fishman and Joe Calderon
16. Chronic Conditions Management 439
Tim Berthold, Lorena Carmona, Mattie Clark
17. Promoting Healthy Eating and Active Living 485
Tim Berthold and Jill Tregor
18. Supporting Survivors with Trauma 521
Tim Berthold
Part 5: Working with Groups and Communities 569
19. Community Health Outreach 571
Thelma Gamboa-Maldonado
20. Facilitating Trainings 599
Jill Tregor and Joe Calderon
21. Group Facilitations 625
James Figueiredo
22. Research, Evaluation and Dissemination of Findings 655
Lily K. Lee, Julie St. John, J. Nell Brownstein, Pennie Jewell, Lisa Renee Holderby-Fox
23. Community Organizing 687
Rama Ali Kased, Larry Salomon, Savita Malik
C3 PROJECT CHW ROLES AND COMPETENCIES REVIEW CHECKLIST 711
C3 ROLES AND SKILLS CHECKLIST 717
VIDEO INDEX 719
INDEX 729
