The Impact of Integrating Community Advocacy Into Community Health Worker Roles on Health-Focused Organizations and Community Health Workers in Southern Arizona. Issue 3 (July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Reinschmidt, Kerstin M.; Ingram, Maia; Schachter, Kenneth; Sabo, Samantha; Verdugo, Lorena; Carvajal, Scott
• Is Part Of: Journal of ambulatory care management. Volume 38:Issue 3(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-07
• Subjects: community advocacy -- community health workers -- qualitative research; Ambulatory medical care -- Administration -- Periodicals; Ambulatory medical care -- United States -- Administration -- Periodicals; Community health services -- Administration -- Periodicals; Community health services -- United States -- Administration -- Periodicals; Health planning -- Periodicals; Health planning -- United States -- Periodicals; 362.12
• DOI: 10.1097/JAC.0000000000000092
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0148-9917

Abstract

Abstract : Organizational environments may encourage community health workers (CHWs) to engage community members in improving their communities. We conducted open-ended interviews and focus groups to explore how participation in the Acción intervention, which trained CHWs in community advocacy, affected organizational capacity to support their CHWs. Supervisors described improved organizational recognition and trust of CHWs. Organizational leaders reported organizational benefits and increased appreciation of CHW leadership. Both expressed increased interest in future advocacy trainings. Limiting factors included organizational mission, CHW position descriptions, and funding. Findings indicate that, with training and funding, CHW community advocacy can be integrated into organizations with congruent missions.