Minnesota CHW Scope

Community Health Workers (CHW) come from the communities they serve, building trust and vital relationships.  This trusting relationship enables the CHWs to be effective links between their own communities and systems of care.  This crucial relationship significantly lowers health disparities in Minnesota because CHWs: provide access to services, improve the quality and cultural competence of care, create an effective system of chronic disease management, and increase the health knowledge and self sufficiency of underserved populations.

Scope of Practice for Minnesota Community Health Worker

Role 1:  Bridge the gap between communities and the health and social service systems

  1. Enhance care quality by aiding communication between provider and patient to clarify cultural practices.
  2. Educate community members about how to use the health care and social service systems.
  3. Educate the health and social service systems about community needs and perspectives.
  4. Establish better communication processes.

Role 2:  Navigate the health and human services system

  1. Increase access to primary care through culturally competent outreach and enrollment strategies.
  2. Make referrals and coordinate services.
  3. Teach people the knowledge and skills needed to obtain care.
  4. Facilitate continuity of care by providing follow-up.
  5. Enroll clients into programs such as health insurance  and  public assistance.
  6. Link clients to and inform them of available community resources.

Role 3:  Advocate for individual and community needs

  1. Articulate and advocate needs of community and individuals to others.
  2. Be a spokesperson for clients when they are unable to speak for themselves.
  3. Involve participants in self and community advocacy.
  4. Map communities to help locate and support needed services. 

Role 4:  Provide Direct Services

  1. Promote wellness by providing culturally appropriate health information to clients and providers.
  2. Educate clients on disease prevention.
  3. Assist clients in self-management of chronic illnesses and medication adherence.
  4. Provide individual social and health care support.
  5. Organize and/or facilitate support groups.
  6. Refer and link to preventive services through health screenings and healthcare information.
  7. Conduct health related screenings. 

Role 5:  Build Individual and Community Capacity: