On Wednesday, May 1st, the Michiana Community Health Coalition convened the leadership for an early-morning gathering at Uptown Kitchen in Heritage Square, Granger. Spearheaded by Jessica Brookshire and Jennifer Lefever, the meeting brought together the leadership of Community Partners, Notre Dame Campus Partners, and identified Community Health Workers (CHWs) for our biannual meeting aimed at growing collaboration and advancing public health initiatives.
Sharing Resources
Participants shared anecdotes, resources, and innovative ideas, displaying a collective commitment to enhancing access to quality resources, improving access to care, and nurturing professional growth opportunities for public health researchers and CHWs.
Following introductions, Jessica Brookshire and Jennifer Lefever, delivered a compelling presentation to the Leadership team. They outlined the remarkable progress of the MCHC, highlighting its significant impact on the South Bend Community and beyond, extending its influence to Mishawaka and Elkhart while envisioning broader regional enhancements.
The Beginnings of the MCHC
Reflecting on the coalition's inception, Jennifer Lefever recalled its humble beginnings with the first meeting held over Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic. At that juncture, the Michiana Community Health Coalition embarked on a journey of discovery, delving into community needs and prioritizing feedback from Community Health Navigators and CHWs. Recognizing these individuals as frontline agents, intimately acquainted with prevalent societal issues, the coalition honed in on their insights.
Since those initial steps, the MCHC has experienced exponential growth, boasting a listserv of over 300 dedicated members and 34 organizations represented across the region. The coalition's website has become a central hub, continuously enriched with resources custom to the organization's trajectory and the evolving needs of its users.
During the meeting, members engaged in fruitful discussions regarding promotional strategies, exploring avenues to leverage each other's resources for the greater promotion of events, volunteer opportunities, and community wellness initiatives. This synergistic effort aimed to identify areas where collective action could address gaps in the community resource landscape, creating a more advanced and inclusive support network.
CHW Sustainability Project
Recognizing the critical importance of focusing on initiatives that highlight professional opportunities for CHWs, it's imperative to acknowledge the challenges they face, including the shortage of qualified individuals who endure the often unrewarding and financially limited roles associated with being a Community Health Worker. Despite the demanding nature of their work, these individuals bring irreplaceable experiences and qualities to the table, making it essential to uplift and support them in their endeavors.
The question arises: How can we attract more CHWs to the field and establish a sustainable career pathway for them?
This was a key topic of discussion during the meeting, where Michael Scanlon, Assistant Director of Research at The Indiana University Center for Global Health, shared insights from The CHW Sustainability Project. His part in this involves advocating for sustainable funding models and policies that protect and enrich the CHW workforce in Indiana and beyond.
Michael emphasized two crucial points for members to consider:
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"Community Health Workers are critical members of the healthcare workforce, with ample evidence demonstrating their positive impacts."
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"Funding for CHWs often relies on grants and short-term mechanisms, leading to precarious working conditions."
For direct support to this project, he urged attendees to:
1. Share this Survey Link within their networks
2. Encourage managers to involve their employees in interviews to discuss CHW programs and funding models to determine what works
3. Mark their calendars for the policy summit scheduled for September 13, 2024, in Indianapolis. This collaboration is vital for advancing the sustainability and effectiveness of CHW programs; ensuring they continue to make meaningful contributions to public health.
The Vision
Furthermore, members engaged in a candid conversation about the obstacles they encounter regarding transparency when broaching a wide spectrum of topics, some of which are often deemed sensitive and challenging to discuss openly. These include matters such as distributing Narcan and providing resources for self-harm reduction.
Jessica Brookshire emphasized the Michiana Community Health Coalition's (MCHC) commitment to dismantling these barriers. She underscored the coalition's fearlessness in addressing what she referred to as "landmines," advocating for open dialogue on even the most contentious topics, such as gun violence, patient advocacy, and harm reduction. By encouraging an environment of openness and inclusivity, the MCHC aims to tackle these pressing issues head-on, recognizing the importance of confronting uncomfortable subjects for the betterment of public health and community well-being.
Unite for Strategic Planning
Representatives from different organizations came prepared to discuss ideas for future initiatives and potential areas of involvement for the Michiana Community Health Coalition (MCHC). Beckie Lies, representing Purdue Extension, articulated her vision for enhancing community well-being and the ways in which the MCHC could buy in. She proposed programs aimed at addressing issues such as hunger and food scarcity by providing resources for families; educating both children and adults on cultivating their own produce through community gardens. Lies also highlighted utilizing parks for promoting nature preservation and health benefits, while also advocating for expanded classes and services related to financial literacy, as well as grant-writing workshops facilitated through her Purdue connections.
Additionally, Ann Lundy, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Indiana Health Centers, Inc. shared her perspectives, emphasizing the need for reciprocal resources within the community. She stated the importance of collaboration, particularly in areas such as transportation assistance and advocacy for the homeless. Lundy also emphasized the power of storytelling to inspire change and cultivate new roles within the community, suggesting that sharing success stories will serve as a catalyst for meaningful progress.
Rona Plummer, Chief Public Service Officer at St. Joseph County Public Library brought up an issue she encounters often, which went hand in hand with the points Ann Lundy made, that there is a shortage of bus-passes the library can give out and that transportation is one of the biggest hurdles she is encountering when assisting community members daily.
As the momentum of the MCHC continues to surge, forging a network of trust within our community, it's evident that our journey is far from over. With each step forward, we recognize the boundless work that lies ahead. As we gear up for the remainder of the year, the coalition eagerly anticipates the resumption of our monthly meetings in June. Armed with fresh concepts, ideas, and perspectives, we are committed to delivering value through insightful speakers, meaningful connections, and engaging events. Together, we will delve deeper into how we can collectively create a sustainable environment for ourselves and our neighbors. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of our community partners and the unwavering support from Notre Dame colleagues, whose collaboration strengthens our resolve to effect positive change.
Additional Resources:
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/programs/stateandlocal/resources/chw-sustainablity.html
Survey Form CHW Sustainability:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT4IOFaVapz_87k58qKFr9JErFbPI9Tvdo_hN3qIKP_y4w6w/viewform
Wellness Summit Information 2024:
https://www.indianachamber.com/event/indiana-wellness-summit/
Originally Published by Lane McDonald May, 9th, 2024