Community Health Workers help Stanton Road Clinic patients navigate health services
Funded by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Community Health Workers project is a collaboration between the USA Center for Healthy Communities and the Mobile County Health Department.
The USA Center for Healthy Communities is piloting the Community Health Workers (CHW) clinical integration model at USA Health Stanton Road Clinic to help patients navigate health and social services.
Funded by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Community Health Workers project is a collaboration between the USA Center for Healthy Communities and the Mobile County Health Department.
CHWs are trained public health workers who serve as a bridge between communities, healthcare systems and state health departments. They work alongside the clinic’s administrative team and have a close understanding of the community served.
Antonette Francis-Shearer, Ph.D., M.H.F.A., health education manager at the USA Center for Healthy Communities, manages the Community Health Workers program. “This trusting relationship enables the worker to serve as a liaison between health and social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality of health outcomes and cultural competence in health service delivery,” she said.
The program aims to empower and build resilience in struggling Mobile communities in 13 select ZIP codes. At least 33% of Stanton Road Clinic’s patients receive Medicaid or Medicare, and some clients have little to no resources for payment.
“The incorporation of the CHWs into our clinic helps to further address the barriers and determinants of health in the environments of our patients,” said Katherine Street, L.M.S.W., the medical social worker at Stanton Road Clinic. These barriers can include lack of transportation, lack of finances or poor housing.
Cheyenne Garland and Mallory Tyus serve as Stanton Road Clinic’s CHWs. They are using their knowledge of the wide cross-section of social services and health education available regionally to help the clinic’s clients navigate and optimize their wellness journeys.
During their first two weeks at the clinic, Garland and Tyus worked under Street’s guidance and supervision. Last week marked the beginning of their solo encounters with patients.
The CHWs work at Stanton Road Clinic Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.
Community Health Workers also are available for direct community referral through participation in community partner outreach activities. Community members or partners who want to connect with the Community Health Workers or to facilitate a client referral may contact the USA Center for Healthy Communities at 251-415-8737 or chws@southalabama.edu.
