Hawai‘i Community Health Worker Association Summer 2023 Updates

Message From Our Chair

Hi Hawai’i Community Health Workers,

By the time you read this message, you would have attended some graduation ceremonies, maybe a graduation party, or talked stories with your clients about their graduation get-togethers or memories.

I want to remind you to take this time and reflect on these community achievements; you inspired someone to complete that diploma or certification, or you are encouraged to finish that one class. As community health workers (CHWs), we hold so much information and are filled with knowledge and resources to share with our communities. Use this time to think about what information you can share to continue to build a healthy community and what new training is out there to share with that single mom that would like to learn a new skill. Our communities trust and believe in us, so let’s continue to learn, learn, and learn to share the knowledge with others.

I am attaching our graduation picture because this degree was also earned for you. Please take that one class or listen to podcasts, webinars, and Hawai‘i Community Health Worker (HICHW) Association Lunch and Learns to continue expanding our knowledge. I could not have done this without all of you. Mahalo for your support. 

Take care everyone and keep united,

Claudia Hartz
Chair – Hawai’i Community Health Worker Association

Meet Our NEW Hawai‘i Community Health Work Association Coordinator

Aloha!

My name is Jacelyn Auna, and I am your Hawai‘i Community Health Worker Association Coordinator. I’m excited to be of assistance, of encouragement to all of you, and also willing to learn from all of you. I look forward to working on building our association. 

Mahalo for all that you do and continue doing as CHWs! 

Jacelyn Auna
Hawai‘i Community Health Worker Association Coordinator
Email: jacelyn@hiphi.org | Phone: (808)591-6508 ext. 42

HAWAI‘I COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER REGIONAL MEETINGS

The HICHW Association is excited to see our local Community Health Workers at our 2023 Regional Meetings throughout the islands! 

We are hosting Regional Meetings on each island with the purpose of: 

• Gathering local CHWs to network with each other 
• Sharing more information and updates from the HICHW Association 
• Discussing upcoming CHW sustainability topics to build awareness of the potential impact on our CHW workforce in Hawai’i

Vote and Register for this year’s 2023 Regional Meeting at our webpage: hichw.org/training-and-services/2023-regional-meetings/. 

COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Are you interested in working as a CHW or Bilingual Health Aide (BHA)? Hawai‘i Public Health Institute is hiring CHWs and BHAs and will deploy them to outside organizations to help address COVID-19-related illness and other chronic disease conditions. Organizations we are partnering up with include: 

• KTA Super Stores on Hawai‘i Island
• Maika‘i Health on Hawai‘i Island
• Mauliola Pharmacy on Maui
• Catholic Charities on O‘ahu
• Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority on O‘ahu 
• Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies on O‘ahu

 To become a part of this team, visit hiphi.org/employment. 

For other CHW-related job openings, visit the hichw.org/employment page today! 

LUPUS TRAINING 

Between June and August 2023, our Community Health Workers will be training CHWs on their role in lupus care and self-management. 

This training will review the following: 

• Signs and symptoms of lupus
• Health disparities associated with lupus 
• Lupus clinical trials and disparities

After completing this training, CHWs will have better knowledge of lupus and be able to support clients with potential and diagnosed lupus throughout Hawai‘i. 

For more information or to inquire about training dates and times, contact Rosi Handy at rosilyn@hiphi.org. 

GET INVOLVED

Check out hichw.org to learn how to get involved: 

Join A Committee: Take an active role in the association to share skills, knowledge and expertise by joining a committee: 

• • Advocacy and Policy
  • Hui Ho‘okahua (Aloha Committee)
  • Conference Planning
  • Communications/Marketing
  • Governance
  • Membership/Network/Recruitment/Nominations
  • Workforce Development/Resources

Events: Our CHW Only Meetings occur every month on the third Thursday. Add these meeting details directly to your calendar: 

July CHW Only Meeting – 07/20/23 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

STAY CONNECTED

• Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @HawaiiCHWA to stay connected with the association and all CHW happenings throughout Hawai‘i. 
• Join our listserv to get monthly newsletters and additional resources sent directly to you: Stay Informed. 

To learn more about how you can support CHWs throughout the state of Hawai‘i, please contact us at info@hichw.org.