Adding a Seat at the Table: A Case Study of the Provider's Perspective on Integrating Community Health Workers at Provider Practices in California

Blue Shield of California’s Community Health Advocates (CHA) Program was created to support whole person-health needs by helping individuals of all socio-economic statuses navigate and access community resources, social services, and medical systems. The Health Reimagined initiative embeds Community Health Advocates within physical health practices to increase access to social services and community resources, improve health outcomes, reduce medical costs, and improve overall patient experience. Interviews and focus groups were held and found value in adding CHA’s to the care team. During the pandemic, CHAs have been important. The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have made the need for holistic, community-integrated care even more urgent.

Resource Details

• Setting/Context of Implementation: Clinical
• Topics of Practice: Organizational Change/ Development|Policy Change/ Development
• Outcomes of Interest: Advancing Racial Equity|Partnership Building|Reduction of Health Disparities
• Level of Evidence: Novel
• Tools or Materials Included in Resource: Yes
• Social Determinants of Health: Education Access and Quality|Healthcare Access and Quality|Social and Community Context
• Outside of US: No