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Dear Maine CHWs and Allies,
We are excited to share several important updates and celebrations with you this week. This Thursday, the CHW Certification Assessment, a major milestone in advancing professional recognition and certification for Community Health Workers across Maine. This is an important step forward for the workforce, and we are grateful to everyone who supported its development and launch.
As we prepare for the upcoming Summit, we also invite you to nominate an outstanding CHW, CHW Supervisor, or CHW Ally to be recognized during the event. This is a meaningful opportunity to uplift individuals who demonstrate leadership, dedication, and impact in supporting CHWs and the communities they serve.
We extend our sincere thank you to all of this year’s Summit sponsors. Your partnership and investment have made it possible to bring together CHWs and allies from across the state to connect, learn, and celebrate. Because of you, this year’s Summit is shaping up to be our most impactful yet.
Finally, we remind you to stay engaged by attending our monthly meetings. Please be sure to add these meetings to your calendar so you can stay informed, connected, and involved in ongoing updates and initiatives.
Thank you for your continued commitment to strengthening and supporting the CHW workforce.
-MECHW Advisory Board
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Breaking New Ground:
Maine CHW Certification
| | Your Path to Professional Recognition Starts Today! | | |
For New Applications for Certification, the CHW must:
● Be 18 years or older at the time of certification
● Have a high school diploma, or high school equivalency (HSE)
● Complete 40 hours of an approved training program based on the C3 Project core competencies endorsed by the Maine CHW Initiative
● Complete a minimum of 1000 service hours
○ Can include volunteer work, peer observation, internship, apprenticeship, and/or paid employment
○ Can include work in the health care and social fields if they can demonstrate the core CHW skills
○ Service hours can be completed at multiple organizations
○ Work experience from the last 2 years will qualify
● Must consent to the CHW code of ethics
● Application fee $100
| | | Strategic Planning Committees | | |
We are addressing the priority projects for the 2026 Strategic Planning. We have developed the following Committees.
- Certification
- CHW Events
- Leadership Training
If you are ready to jump into this important work, please reach out to Bridgette Dairyko bdairyko@mcd.org. Thank you for your dedication to support the CHW workforce!
| Leadership Opportunities & News | |
CHW Highlights
"Driving Change through Leadership"
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Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries
Reaching Vinalhaven required commitment before the work even began. The journey started with a ferry ride that took more than an hour each way, underscoring the island’s physical isolation and the barriers its residents face in accessing care. Many of the fishermen and community members who live on the island have limited access to health services and often lack insurance that covers routine wellness visits.
To help bridge this gap, a small team traveled to the island, consisting of Community Health Workers, two additional support staff, and a physician from the Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety. Together, we set up and provided comprehensive health assessments for island residents.
Fisherman received screenings that included cholesterol and HbA1C testing, blood pressure and pulse checks, and BMI assessments. Each participant then had the opportunity to review their results and ask questions during a follow‑up conversation with the physician. The day was both busy and meaningful, with steady participation and thoughtful engagement from those attending.
By the end of the day, 36 community members had completed full health assessments. The experience highlighted both the resilience of the Vinalhaven community and the importance of bringing preventive health services directly to remote and underserved populations.
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If you would like your CHW program highlighted in our monthly newsletter,
Please contact bdairyko@mcd.org
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A dirNominate a CHW, Supervisor, or Ally of the Year
Do you know a Community Health Worker, CHW Supervisor, or CHW Ally who goes above and beyond to support communities, strengthen systems, and uplift the CHW workforce? We invite you to recognize their impact by submitting a nomination for CHW of the Year, CHW Supervisor of the Year, or CHW Ally of the Year.
Award recipients will be announced and honored during the CHW Summit in August, making this a meaningful opportunity to celebrate leadership, dedication, and service in front of peers and partners from across the state.
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MECHWI Monthly Meeting
MECHWI meets monthly. We share strategic updates; participants can network with other CHWs and learn from community programs and resources. All are welcome!
Next Monthly Meeting:
May 26, 1:30-2:30 pm
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CHW Peer Support Group
The CHW Peer Support Group Meets Monthly!
Virtual meetings are held the 3rd Thursday of each month at 12:00pm.
May 21st
from 12:00pm- 1:30pm
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Monthly Lunch & Learn
May 15th, 12 pm -1 pm
Catalyst Award project with MaineGeneral Health.
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Happy National Public Health Week!
NPHW is about celebrating the public health achievements that have improved our daily lives, safeguarded our families, expanded our life spans, and strengthened our communities. It's also about honoring the public health workers who show up for us every day, and continuing to advocate for policies and practices that promote good health for all.
This year's theme is "Ready. Set. Action!" In that spirit, we have several events planned this week, including a Public Health Hall of Flags at the Maine State House (April 6th), UMaine Public Health Career Panel (April 9th), and our annual MPHA member outing at the Portland Sea Dogs (April 11th). Below we have more information about these and other events happening this week!
NPHW Special Membership Offer: In honor of NPHW, MPHA is offering new members a discounted membership rate of $30! This is a $45 discount for individual members, and we hope you'll take advantage! Please email us if you have any questions.Text Link
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CHW Program Learning Series 1
This digital learning series is designed to equip public health departments and CHW-supporting organizations with strategies for CHW integration and sustainability. Developed by CHW and ally experts, the series consists of four modules, each with four lessons that run approximately 30 minutes for a total viewing time of approximately 3 hours.
These were created in collaboration with the Center for Community Health Alignment (CCHA), the National Council on CHW Core Consensus Standards (C3 Council), and the Community Health Worker Center for Research and Evaluation (CHW-CRE).
The modules feature short videos, key resources, and practical guidance. Content was reviewed by envision staff and the envision CHW Council to ensure alignment with CHW priorities.
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Applications open for HLD 20!
Maine’s Health Leadership Development Course (HLD) is a unique blend of individual and collaborative leadership skill-building, combined with Health Content sessions and practical skills application through topically focused projects, aimed at helping individuals better understand and lead in Maine’s complex, ever-changing health and healthcare environment.
HLD is an intensive 16-day course that runs over an eight-month period, beginning each September. A three-day Hurricane Island Outward Bound School session catalyzes individual growth and group cohesion.
We are currently accepting applications through May 2026 and have 3 full scholarships for those who work in community-based organizations. Please reach out Janell Lewis with any questions.ext Link
| | | Summer 2026 CHW Core Competency | |
Upcoming
Advanced CHW Supervision Training
| | Selfcare is essential for community health workers to prevent burnout, maintain mental health, and sustain effective service to their communities. | | 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. | | We have an opening for a Director of Interpreter & Cross-Cultural Services position! This is a great opportunity to join the Patient Experience team at MaineHealth. Please let Casey Maloney or me know if you have any questions! https://lnkd.in/g2mh43FU | | | | |
