Namita Mishra

The University of West Florida, Pensacola in collaboration with Ascension Sacred Heart, Pensacola aims to study CHW workforce development and integration into the healthcare system.  CHWs serve as the frontline public health workers and are the trusted members who are in close understanding with the community they serve. Trusted relation enables them to play roles as a liaison between health/social services and the community facilitating access to services and improving the quality and culturally competent service delivery to the marginalized population.

The study aims to expand the public health workforce and promote recognition of the community health worker leadership in the nation. The study aims to upskill the public health workforce through effective training, enhanced curriculums including specialties and core competency courses, and to certify the competent CHWs. The study recommends effective policies to integrate the community health workforce into healthcare with a focus on placements and apprenticeships of CHW and through collaboration and partnerships with local organizations, thus improving the community health outcomes and simultaneously diminishing health disparities in marginalized communities.