Community Health Workers (CHWs) are trusted public health professionals who can help bridge the gap between individuals and health care, advocating for young people and families’ needs, helping them navigate complex systems, and promoting well-being. In Washington, Medicaid supports CHWs who work in team-based care to promote behavioral health.
A pediatrician recalls treating a newborn at her first well-baby visit: The infant was healthy, but the family was experiencing housing instability, moving between friends’ homes without a permanent residence. The mother’s primary language was Spanish. Recognizing that stable housing was essential for the child’s overall well-being, the pediatrician connected the mother with a Spanish-speaking CHW at the clinic. While the family initially missed a subsequent pediatric appointment, the mother returned to the clinic a few weeks later asking specifically for the CHW. Working together, they addressed the family’s housing needs—a foundational determinant of the child’s health and development.
By sharing language, culture, or lived experiences with the communities they serve, CHWs build trust in ways that help young people and families stay engaged with care, even during difficult circumstances.
