The trusted bridge · built on the C3 consensus framework
⚠ DRAFT — state certification varies; supplements an approved program
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K
Coach Katie
A Community Health Worker is a trusted member of the community who bridges people and the health and social-services system. It's relationship and navigation work — not hands-on clinical care. Let's map what the role is, using the national C3 framework.
What a CHW is
The trusted bridge
CHWs go by many names — community health worker, promotor(a) de salud, health navigator, outreach worker, peer educator. What unites them: a close, trusted understanding of the community they serve, used to connect people to care, knowledge, and resources.
C3 Project: the Community Health Worker Core Consensus — the national framework that defines the CHW's 10 core roles and 11 core skills. Most state programs map to it. It's a competency framework, not a national exam.
C3 · the 10 core roles
What CHWs do
1 · Cultural connection
Bridge culture & language between community and system.
2 · Health education
Share culturally-appropriate health information.
3 · Care navigation
Coordinate care, referrals, and case management.
4 · Coaching & support
Provide social and emotional support.
5 · Advocacy
Advocate for individuals and the community.
6 · Capacity building
Build individual and community strengths.
7 · Direct service
Basic screenings/first aid referrals within scope.
8 · Assess needs
Gather community & social-needs (SDOH) info.
9 · Outreach
Reach people where they are; build trust.
10 · Evaluation
Take part in program evaluation and research.
Stay in scope
What a CHW is not
CHWs connect, educate, support, and advocate. They do not diagnose, prescribe, or provide hands-on clinical treatment — those belong to licensed clinicians. Recognizing when to hand off to a nurse, doctor, or 911 is a core skill.
Scope & boundaries: keep information confidential, respect autonomy, avoid dual relationships, and route clinical questions to the care team. When in doubt, refer.
The core skill: person-centered communication
Listen with OARS
Trust is built through how you talk with people (not at them). A simple, evidence-based habit from motivational interviewing:
O — Open questions
"What matters most to you about your health right now?"
A — Affirmations
Notice strengths: "You've kept every appointment this month."
R — Reflective listening
Say back what you heard: "So getting to the pharmacy is the hard part."
S — Summarize
Pull it together and confirm the plan and next step.
Cultural humility & autonomy: the person is the expert on their own life. Ask, don't assume; offer options; respect their choices even when they differ from yours.
K
Coach Katie
Two moments from the field. Pick the response that's trusting, in-scope, and person-centered.
K
Coach Katie
Five questions. 75% to earn the CHW Foundations stamp.
K
Coach Katie
You learned it, you lived it — now share it. Pick at least two pledges you'll carry into your community. That ripple is the whole point of a CHW.
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