Message from the Chair

Message from the Chair

Greetings from Massachusetts!

I am calling all CHWs, CHRs and promotores(as) and our regional, state and local associations to action.  Now is the time to pool our resources and knowledge to advance our field to promote health in our communities regardless of our individual job titles! We have an opportunity at our fingertips we must not let slip by.  As state and federal policy makers debate whether or not to implement the Affordable Care Act, we must take a stand to ensure our communities are not left holding the short end of the stick.  We must continue to advocate for the services, access to health care and preventative care communities need to promote social justice.

We all worked very hard to secure the passage of the Affordable Care Act, and we have more work to protect it from repeal.  Please become informed about what’s happening on the Hill.  APHA’s Public Health Action Campaign will assist you in staying informed of the progress of key public health issues and action needed. You may join this campaign and receive action alerts by signing up at http://action.apha.org/site/PageNavigator/Advocacy_Mailing_List_registration.  

In addition, get to know your elected officials and which ones are champions for CHWs, CHRs, promotores(as) and for community-based services to improve health and eliminate health disparities.  Ask for in-person meetings with elected officials or their staffers, make phone calls to the offices and take the time to send your thoughts in writing. Don’t wait to be in D.C. to speak with them; many spend some time in their districts each month. We should do this as individuals and as CHW organizations.

Be active in the CHW Section and APHA to stay on top of policies affecting how we practice as CHWs, CHRs and promotores(as).  Although it feels as though many of us were just together at the 2010 Annual Meeting, planning for the 2011 Annual Meeting has already begun.  The 2011 Annual Meeting is in Washington, D.C.  Plan on attending the Annual Meeting; take advantage of the location and reach out to your U.S. Senators and Representatives.  Join the CHW Section Policy Committee to stay on top of state and federal laws affecting CHWs, CHRs and the communities we serve and live in. If the Policy Committee is not for you, there are many other opportunities within APHA and the CHW Section to enhance your leadership skills and advocate for our field and communities. We are preparing for Association elections, and there are many open vacancies. Please visit the CHW Section Web page http://www.apha.org/membergroups/sections/aphasections/chw/ to become familiar with Section leadership opportunities.

Many are familiar with the sessions the CHW Section hosts each year at the Annual Meeting, but we are much more than that.  This is your Section, and we need you! As our state CHW movements gain momentum, it is crucial to strengthen the national movement as well.  Additionally, the Affordable Care Act needs to be preserved and implemented. We can’t do this without your help and leadership on the local, state and national levels. Each state and CHW organization should be represented within the CHW Section of APHA. If you are already a member, engage others from your state and CHW organizations to join and be active.  Now is the time for action and unity.  Your active involvement in the CHW Section will assist to make the dream of health care for all, elimination of health disparities and a stronger CHW, CHR and promotor(a) workforce a reality.

Sincerely,

Lisa Renee Holderby-Fox