A number of Community Health Workers and one Community Paramedic are available to work with residents in Caswell County, thanks to Compassion Health Care, Inc., Caswell County EMS, and the Community Health Worker Initiative of the Dan River Region.
What is a Community Health Worker?
A Community Health Worker, or “CHW” is a person in our community who is placed in a trusted position to help those in need of better access to health services to improve health management.
A CHW strives to help improve your ability to manage your health through outreach, community education, informal counseling, advocacy, and social support.
What does a CHW do?
CHWs work with you to strategize and develop a plan of action so you are better equipped with the knowledge needed to manage your health.
This strategy includes, but is not limited to:
- Helping you to better understand your own health
- Providing a voice to educate your provider(s) about your health needs
- Helping you find answers that may impact your health so you can make better decisions
- Providing health education so you can understand it
How does the CHW Program work?
When you have visited the ER or hospital, the Community Health Worker will travel to your residence to provide you with extra support. The CHW is equipped with various resources to help you get the best possible support. Your well-being is of great importance to the CHW.
The CHW will give you assistance in many areas including:
- Connecting you to a Primary Care Provider (PCP)
- Helping you learn about various resources in the community
- Helping you better manage your medical condition(s)
- Communicating with your PCP when needed
The Community Health Worker is here to help you in every way possible, but please note that the CHW does not provide medical coverage or clinical advice, nor do they replace any need for follow-up with your provider.
A Community Paramedic provides similar services with the additional benefit of being able to provide some clinical treatments and interventions in the home.