[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 121 (Thursday, July 25, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5514-S5515]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

SENATE RESOLUTION 771--SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF THE WEEK OF AUGUST 
 26 THROUGH AUGUST 30, 2024, AS THE SECOND ANNUAL ``NATIONAL COMMUNITY 
                     HEALTH WORKER AWARENESS WEEK''

  Mr. CASEY (for himself, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms. Hirono, Mrs. 
Gillibrand, and Mr. Brown) submitted the following resolution; which 
was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions:

                              S. Res. 771

       Whereas a community health worker is a frontline public 
     health worker who is a trusted member, or has an unusually 
     close understanding, of the community served;
       Whereas this trusting relationship enables the worker to 
     serve as a liaison, link, or intermediary between health and 
     social services and the community, facilitate access to 
     services, improve the quality and cultural competence of 
     service delivery, build individual and community capacity, 
     and increase health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a 
     range of activities such as outreach, community education, 
     informal counseling, social support, and advocacy;
       Whereas community health workers are a unique workforce, 
     recognized in 25 States with a professional certification;
       Whereas community health workers are a community-based 
     workforce that builds relationships and capacity for health 
     and well-being in underserved areas;
       Whereas community health workers are a historic and diverse 
     workforce that goes back hundreds of years in the United 
     States and reflects the diversity of the Nation;
       Whereas community health workers have been known by many 
     different titles, including community health representatives, 
     promotores de salud, aunties, and outreach workers;
       Whereas community health workers are a cross-sector 
     workforce that connects community members to health care and 
     other social services, reducing barriers to health and well-
     being;

[[Page S5515]]

       Whereas community health workers are a proven workforce 
     with decades of research documenting effectiveness in 
     maternal and child health, chronic disease interventions, 
     immunization, oral health, HIV, primary care, and many other 
     disciplines, and have a documented return on investment for 
     many programs;
       Whereas sustainable funding of community health workers 
     supports fair market wages and enhanced recruitment and 
     retention of the workforce;
       Whereas community health workers fulfill a wide range of 
     roles, including--
       (1) providing cultural mediation among individuals, 
     communities, and health and social service systems;
       (2) offering culturally appropriate health education and 
     information;
       (3) offering care coordination, case management, and system 
     navigation;
       (4) providing coaching and social support;
       (5) advocating for individuals and communities;
       (6) building individual and community capacity;
       (7) providing direct service, including basic screening 
     tests, such as weight and blood pressure screening, basic 
     services, such as diabetic foot checks, and meeting basic 
     needs;
       (8) implementing individual and community assessments;
       (9) conducting outreach; and
       (10) participating in evaluation and research; and
       Whereas community health worker networks are statewide, 
     regional, or local community-based organizations, including 
     community health worker associations and coalitions with 
     leadership or membership that is comprised of 50 percent or 
     more of community health workers, promotores, or community 
     health representatives, and whose mission and activities 
     focus on workforce development, mentoring, member 
     mobilization, and advocacy: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of the second annual 
     National Community Health Worker Awareness Week;
       (2) recognizes the significant contributions of community 
     health workers to health and social care systems and 
     communities across the United States;
       (3) encourages collaboration at the local, State, and 
     Federal levels to raise awareness of the important role of 
     community health workers; and
       (4) supports the work of community health workers to reduce 
     health disparities by improving health in underserved 
     communities.

                          ____________________