GRADUATION!!
LIFT Grundy Celebrates Community Health Workers
On Thursday, October 1, LIFT Grundy celebrated Nikki Archey and Kacie Chambers, as they completed the multi-month Community Health Worker Apprenticeship Program, a state-recognized credential. The program was offered through a collaboration between the Tennessee Community Health Worker Association, the Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHAT), and Vanderbilt University.
Beth Keylon, of RHAT, congratulated Archey and Chambers on their achievement. Keylon noted that the event on Thursday was one of fifteen that had been held statewide, and over fifty individuals had earned certificates of completion as recognized Community Health Workers.
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are trusted members of the community who can work with people in the community, in clinical and related settings, to accompany people on their journey to health. CHWs support patients and help direct people toward services for which they qualify that can improve their health outcomes.
Archey and Chambers completed coursework totaling over 140 hours and clinical placement of over 2000 hours to earn the certificates. Keylon noted that the coursework is co-developed between the program collaborators and the organizations that employ the CHWs. Apprentices learn shared core competencies as well as skills related to their specific clinical placements.
“The community health workers are an integral part of the LIFT Grundy program,” said Elise Krews, program manager. LIFT Grundy is a program supported by the State of Tennessee rural health initiatives that is managed by South Cumberland Community Fund (SCCF). It is a collaboration between SCCF, two free clinics (Beersheba Springs Medical Clinic and South Cumberland Community Clinic), two recovery organizations (GRACE and Mosaic), and Southeast Tennessee Human Resource Agency (SETHRA). Archey is a CHW for Beersheba Springs Medical Clinic, and Chambers is mobility coordinator and CHW for SETHRA.
Archey and Chambers were celebrated by their employers and by program manager Krews. “Kacie has the kind of integrity we need in a CHW,” said Krews, “and she is one of the hardest workers I have ever met and she cares deeply about the people around her.” Krews praised Archey for the skills she brought to the job as a certified medical assistant and also her ability to connect readily with people. “It became so clear in the interview that Nikki would be a perfect CHW because of how she approached her interactions with people. We have quickly learned that Nikki knows absolutely everyone in Grundy County, and those community connections are invaluable.”
LIFT Grundy just completed its first year of operation this summer. In the first year, Community Health Workers had 768 documented interventions with individuals and provided health related rides totalling more than 100,000 miles. The LIFT team is currently working on sustainability plans for a program that is grant funded for the next two years.