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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 722 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 722

    Supporting the designation of the week of September 18 through 
  September 22, 2023, as ``National Community Health Worker Awareness 
                                Week''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 21, 2023

Mr. Ruiz submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                    Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
    Supporting the designation of the week of September 18 through 
  September 22, 2023, as ``National Community Health Worker Awareness 
                                Week''.

Whereas a community health worker is a frontline public health worker who is a 
        trusted member of the community in which the worker serves and has an 
        unusually close understanding of that community that enables the worker 
        to build trusted relationships, serve as a liaison between health and 
        social services and the community, facilitate access to services, 
        improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery, build 
        individual and community capacity, and increase health knowledge and 
        self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, 
        community education, informal counseling, social support, and advocacy;
Whereas community health workers are a unique workforce, recognized in 36 States 
        with a professional certification;
Whereas community health workers are a community-based workforce that builds 
        relationships with those around them and helps build treatment capacity 
        in underserved areas;
Whereas community health workers are a historic and diverse workforce that goes 
        back hundreds of years in the United States and reflects the diversity 
        of the country;
Whereas community health workers have been known by many different titles, 
        including community health representatives, promotoras de salud, 
        aunties, peers, and outreach workers;
Whereas community health workers are a cross-sector workforce that connects 
        community members to health care and other social services, reducing 
        barriers to health and well-being;
Whereas community health workers are a proven workforce with decades of research 
        documenting effectiveness in maternal and child health, chronic disease 
        interventions, immunization, oral health, HIV, primary care, and many 
        other disciplines and have a documented return on investment for many 
        programs;
Whereas sustainable funding of community health workers supports fair market 
        wages and enhanced recruitment and retention of the workforce;
Whereas community health workers fulfill a wide range of roles, including--

    (1) providing cultural mediation among individuals, communities, and 
health and social service systems;

    (2) offering culturally appropriate health education and information;

    (3) offering care coordination, case management, and system navigation;

    (4) providing coaching and social support;

    (5) advocating for individuals and communities;

    (6) building individual and community capacity;

    (7) providing direct service;

    (8) implementing individual and community assessments;

    (9) conducting outreach; and

    (10) participating in evaluation and research; and

Whereas community health worker networks are statewide, regional, or local 
        associations or coalitions with leadership and membership that are 
        composed of at least 50 percent community health workers, promotoras, or 
        community health representatives and whose activities include training, 
        workforce development, mentoring, and other initiatives to support 
        community health worker, promotora, and community health representative 
        programs: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Community 
        Health Worker Awareness Week;
            (2) recognizes the significant contributions of community 
        health workers to the health care system and communities across 
        the United States;
            (3) encourages collaboration at the local, State, and 
        Federal levels to raise awareness of the important role of 
        community health workers; and
            (4) supports the work of community health workers to 
        improve health outcomes in underserved and high-need 
        communities.
                                 <all>
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