Aug. 2024 Newsletter

Dear Maine CHWs and Allies, 

We hope you are enjoying the summer and taking time to relax. We along with staff have been working very hard on Awareness Week fun events. Please read more about how you can participate and also win prizes.

We are pleased to share that the efforts CHWs in Maine have made across the state are now being recognized and our proclamation was accepted!

Please continue to read below about the highlights and exciting events happening with the MECHWI.

-MECHW Initiative Advisory Committee

The committees are deep in the weeds of the work- Join us!

Interested participants that signed up for a committee have receive an email with meeting details and will start the important work on behalf of the Initiative.

Workforce Development Committee (WDC)

The WDC is finalizing the proposal for CHW certification. Thank you to all who joined in on one of our listening sessions. We will be taking all the suggestion seriously and make some revisions. Once it is complete we will be sharing during one of our full MECHWI meetings. We are also working on updating the resources in our web page.

Policy/Advocacy Committee (PAC)

The PAC held a listening session during the Office of Population Health Equity’s Annual Conference to gather feedback from participants on workforce priorities, which will inform future advocacy efforts. The PAC plans to present the findings from the listening session at the CHW Awareness Event on August 27. The PAC will also begin working with a consultant to develop a comprehensive advocacy plan for educating elected officials about CHWs in the next legislative session.

 Outreach/Communications Committee (OCC)

The OCC committee has dedicated time to enhancing organization's online presence through social media and content development. They are working to create engaging, informative, and impactful content that resonates with our audience and aligns with our mission. Facebook media platforms will increase our reach, foster community engagement, and promote our initiative effectively.

If you are interested in joining a committee, email Bridgette Gemelli, Capacity Building Coordinator at bgemelli@mcd.org.

2024 CHW Awareness Week!

Join us for our 2nd Annual Event

About the Alignment

It currently boasts a membership of almost 200 stakeholders and 75+ organizations which include Community Health Workers (CHWs,) community & faith leaders, non-profit organizations, clinical and social services partners, public and private agencies, government, schools, and universities, among others. All are invested in advancing health and social equity for Maine’s most vulnerable populations by addressing needs which are brought forth by community members with lived experience & those working on the ground.

The Alignment consists of seven committees which members participate in in order to address distinct aspects of health and social inequities.

For more information please Contact: Nélida Berke at nrb@portlandmaine.gov

What is self-care? Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical, health, and mental health. When it comes to your mental health, self-care can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy. Even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a big impact. 

For more information, contact us at: info@mechw.org