renee
I'm working on a timeline about CHWs in New Mexico, and i'm looking for input. Here are some of the events i have listed. Can anyone help with dates, additional events, or other things that should be included? I'm looking for any important steps -- it could be the date your program was started, development of a curriculum, a new something for CHWs.
- 196? -- the first CHR program is established in New Mexico
- 198? -- La Clinica de Familia starts its CHW program
- 19?? -- New Mexico Community Health Workers Association is formed
- 198? -- Reaching Out Curriculum is developed
- 200? -- Southern New Mexico Promotora Committee is formed
- January 2003 -- New Mexico Senate Joint Memorial 076 passes and taskforce forms
- October 2003 -- SJM 076 study presented to legislators
- December 2006 -- New Mexico Advisory Council is formed
- July 2007 -- Northern New Mexico Promotora Committee is formed
Thanks for your help with this!
--renee
Reader Comments (8)
2004 Educational foot exam video for CHWs completed and distributed free statewide
Hi Patty,
That video won an award, didn't it? What were the specifics on that? (title of award and date?)
Very exciting site! A couple of things, (Renee, you asked for it,) Under ...Liaisons...it's important to add: Health CARE. (Perhaps this is a unique thing, but providers of health and providers of health care are very, very different; i.e, a health educator giving information and a physician prescribing a med.I believe health care providers come into the picture if and when the "health providers" and/or their...systems, goverments, etc. fail.)
Second, I have questions about "...and model healthy behaviors..." Q's: Should I never hire a 5-ft., 300 lb. CHW? How about if he drives fast occasionally? Eats saturated fats? I think we need to hear from promotoras about this
Delfi,
Good points, both! I certainly won't quibble with adding "care" to "health" -- after all, CHWs help people get access to health care by doing things like enrolling them in Medicaid or other health coverage plans, or simply letting people know that they can get reasonably priced health care at a federally qualified health center clinic. CHWs also help people make
Re modeling healthful behaviors -- another great question, and I would love to hear some responses from CHWs/promotores/as/CHRs. On the one hand, it's not something we, as a society, expect of other health workers (think of how many physicians and nurses smoke or never get any exercise). On the other hand, if CHWs are truly "agents of change" in their communities, those healthful behaviors have to start somewhere. How effective is it for a CHW to counsel a diabetes patient about nutrition while eating chocolate-filled donuts? To lead a smoking cessation class and head outside and light up during breaks?
You can secure detailed information regarding the history of NMCHWA's formation and the Reaching Out Curriculum by logging on to www.nmchwa.com
NMCHWA formed in 1995 through a RWJ grant to formalize the CHW association. This was done under the UNM/HSC Prenatal Care Network. It remained under the Prenatal Care Network for 3 years. After that, NMCHWA continued offering annual conferences and quarterly training through the work of the Executive Board. In 2003 NMCHWA became a 501(c)3. It is still an all-volunteer organization. Work is facilitated by the Executive Board and the Board of Directors with the help of a part time consultant.
The Reaching Out Curriculum was developed in 1993 in a collaborative effort with UNM/HSC Prenatal Care Network, Area Healh Education Center through a grant from the March of Dimes. It has a maternal child health emphasis with 10 components, includes 40 hours of training. For the table of contents log on to the NMCHWA web page. Classes are held free of charge in the northern and central part of the state. The curriculum is available free (postage applicable) to CHW programs in New Mexico, for programs outside the state the cost is $40, includes postage. For further questions you can contact NMCHWA by emailing nmchwa@yahoo.com.
BJ,
Thanks! Wonderful information... and i'll add it to the timeline. I'll complete the draft this week and post it to the site.
--rene
Rene, please don't forget the funding received by the NM OBH to start-up the majority of CHW programs in Southern NM, per funding from the legislature which happened sometime after 1994-95. Barbara G. can provide the details.
P.S. I invite all the CHWs to register for the E-Border Health bulletin on our website.
Thanks again for all the great work you all do. Saludos y buena suerte!
Reene don't also for get to include in the timeline the Reports that you were contracted for by the Office of Border Health, (2007 Report) also don't forget to include the Establishment of the Office of Community Health Workers which was announced on Decemeber 2008.
Angie