Local health center launches pilot program

MIDDLETOWN — Community Health Center, Inc. (CHC) recently announced the establishment of a Community Health Worker (CHW) pilot program at CHC of Meriden. Community Health Workers engage one-on-one with patients to focus on health improvement goals and may assist with issues such as food insecurity, housing instability, finding a job, and creating a social support system, according to a statement.

“I know how it feels to be somebody looking for help,” said CHC’s new CHW Leonora Ortiz. “A lot of people don’t trust anyone, they don’t feel like they want to go to the clinic, they don’t want to pay attention to their health. They don’t have enough information. They don’t know there are resources they can use. This will give me the opportunity to work with people face to face.”

The integration of CHWs into CHC’s care team will help close the gap between the clinic and home, providing additional support for patients. Research has shown that CHWs can help improve health outcomes, lower health care costs, and reduce hospitalizations.

In addition, CHC has collaborated with the Penn Center for Community Health Workers to design and implement a new Weitzman ECHO for CHWs and those in similar roles across the country. This new ECHO, which has 150 participants from 33 organizations, launched today and will be held twice a month through June. Three CHC staff members will join the Penn Center as faculty to share their expertise and deliver information on various topics, such as traumainformed care, re-engaging patients, and CHWs as members of the care team.

For more information, visit www.chc1.com.