[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 152 (Thursday, September 24, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S5009]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 906--SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF THE WEEK OF AUGUST 
 24 THROUGH AUGUST 28, 2026, AS THE FOURTH ANNUAL ``NATIONAL COMMUNITY 
                     HEALTH WORKER AWARENESS WEEK''

  Mr. WYDEN (for himself, Mrs. Gillibrand, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Padilla, Mr. 
Blumenthal, Mr. Booker, Mr. Lujan, Mr. Markey, Ms. Blunt Rochester, and 
Ms. Klobuchar) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 906

       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 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 33 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 rural and underserved areas;
       Whereas community health workers are a historic workforce 
     that goes back hundreds of years in the United States;
       Whereas community health workers are known by more than 250 
     valued and respected titles, including community health 
     representatives, promotores de salud, 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;
       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 enhanced recruitment and retention of the workforce;
       Whereas community health workers fulfill a wide range of 
     roles, including--
       (1) providing links between individuals, communities, and 
     health and social service systems;
       (2) offering 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 de salud, 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 fourth 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 
     improve the health of communities across the United States.

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