Community Health Worker Network

Why Community Health Workers

The Community Health Worker-Network team has more than 20 years of experience developing CHW programs and studying their effectiveness. Learn more about why this model works.

CHWs are being utilized across a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools, health departments and community-based organizations, with growing roles in behavioral health, chronic disease prevention, maternal and child health and emergency response. The importance of CHWs continues to rise as health systems increasingly recognize their value in addressing social determinants of health, advancing health equity and improving population health outcomes.

The Qualitative Story: What Experience Shows

After a child was diagnosed with elevated blood lead levels, the county’s lead-monitoring team referred the family to a CHW. The family lacked a primary care provider and struggled to navigate the healthcare system to obtain necessary regular lab work. The CHW connected the family with local providers and supported them in setting up recurring lab appointments. Since then, the child has consistently received care, and the parent reports relief and pride in their child’s progress.

Just 54 days clean, a recently released individual walked into the CHW office seeking help. She had no housing, job or reliable transportation. With support, she secured employment at a café, enrolled in SNAP benefits and is now on the waitlist for transitional housing. She rents a bike to get around town and is working toward getting her ID — one step closer to returning to college, a goal she’s set for herself.

A woman struggling after a car accident connected with a CHW at a community event. Denied disability and unable to work long hours, she faced job loss and mounting housing instability. The CHW identified a rental assistance program through her insurer, Aetna, and helped her apply. Within two months, she received three months of rental support. Grateful and relieved, she credited the CHW for helping her feel seen — and supported.

The Quantitative Story: About the Numbers

CHWs in the Community

Community Health Workers (CHWs) play a critical role in bridging health care gaps, particularly in rural and underserved areas where access to medical services and essential resources are limited.

COPE Project

The COPE Project was a multi-year grant-funded effort based at the University of Kansas Medical Center focused on addressing individual and community needs. Through COPE, 60 community health workers were deployed across 22 Kansas counties. The project’s impact includes:

5,144 individuals served
3,246 individuals provided with resources
1,898 individuals successfully completing their care plans
10,000+individual needs identified
2,831 partnerships made
1,573 events coordinated
64,136 encounters recorded
650 applications for Medicaid, Medicare and disability benefits

These figures represent individuals receiving the support they needed and demonstrate how indispensable the role of CHWs is to fostering healthier communities through coordinated care, outreach and advocacy.

CHWs in the Emergency Room

A community health worker project based at The University of Kansas Health System helped reduce preventable ER visits and hospitalizations. CHWs provided immediate support during patient visits and continued assistance after discharge, addressing social determinants of health, such as access to primary care, transportation, food security and medication adherence. The patients served by CHWs in the project experienced:

80% reduction in return ER visits within six months
70% decrease in hospital admissions
60% reduction in length of stay

This project demonstrated that CHWs can play a crucial role in addressing the needs of uninsured and underinsured patients, leading to better health outcomes and reducing strain on hospital resources.