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Community Health Workers (CHWs) are an important part of the health care system. They provide preventive health information, referral and follow-up services that extend the reach of other health providers. CHWs are a fundamental link between the community and the public health care system because they help people access the health and social services they need. They also prevent and reduce cultural and language barriers and improve the quality and cost effectiveness of health care.
All Network for East Texas Rural Health (NETRH) CHWs have either completed a certified Texas DSHS training program consisting of a 160-hour curriculum or met the states guidelines based upon their previous community health worker experience. The DSHS-approved CHW curriculum includes a minimum of 20 clock hours of training in eight core competency areas as follows: communication skills, interpersonal relations, service coordination, capacity-building, advocacy, teaching and organizational skills, and knowledge-base of specific health issues.
These skill sets allow the CHW to effectively deliver needed health information directly to communities in the East Texas region.
Community Health Worker activities may include:
- Act as an advocate for the patient
- Link people to needed health care services
- Provide health information to groups or individuals
- Serve as a liaison between a church, club, or organization and health care providers
- Participate in community meetings
- Assist patients with development of action plans to meet health care goals
- Provide follow-up for referrals and physician visits
Network for East Texas Rural Health (NETRH)
Five healthcare and/or health education entities who serve various areas of Deep East Texas have joined forces to create NETRH. Piney Woods Area Health Education Center (AHEC)/Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA), along with its four partners, East Texas Community Health Services, East Texas Health Access Network (ETHAN), the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission (SETHAN) and Texas DSHS Public Health Service Region 4/5N, share a common vision and mission of improving the health of the uninsured and underinsured of this region.
The service area includes Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Red River, Sabine, San Augustine, Tyler, and the rural areas of Hardin, Jefferson, and Orange counties.
Mission
NETRH seeks to increase healthcare access by providing outreach, education, referral and follow-up, case management, advocacy and home visiting services to targeted communities ensuring primary and preventive health care services.
Note: Community Health Workers do NOT take the place of doctors, but may work with them to keep patients as healthy as possible.
This project is funded by
DHHS/HRSA Grant #D06RH10757
