Supporting Language Justice Work as a Community Health Worker

Presenter:  Darouny Somsanith, MPH

CEUs: Approved for IMIA/NBCMI 0.15, CCHI 1.5 CE Hours CEAP and RID. 

Description:

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the growth of Interpreters and Translator is estimated to be about 2% for the next 10 years, while Community Health Workers (CHW) growth is expected to be at 13% nationally. As more health and social service providers are looking to support diverse communities throughout the United States, including those who speak a language other than English, they are looking to hire more bilingual CHWs.

"A community health worker is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the worker to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery.

A community health worker also builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support and advocacy."

This definition was first developed by the CHW Section and codified through American Public Health Association in 2009.

Come learn about the intersection and differences within the HCI and CHW profession in supporting language justice work.

Objectives:

• Participants will be able to explain the core roles CHWs play in the field of public health, health care, and social services.
• Discuss emerging models of healthcare and opportunities for HCIs, as bilingual CHWs.
• Discuss the importance of language access for clients and communities with limited English proficiency within health and social services.

Bio:

Darouny Somsanith is the coordinator of the Community Health Worker (CHW) Program and faculty member within the Community and Public Health Department at City College of San Francisco (CCSF). She started her public health career as a CHW and has over 20 years' experience working on issues of workforce development and supporting the diverse training needs of community health workers and bilingual staff. Before coming on as the program coordinator for the CHW program, she coordinated the Health Care Interpreting Program at CCSF and taught within the program.

Cost: 

• CHIA Members: $15
• Non-Members: $30                                   

Become a CHIA Member for $50 You do not need to live or work in California to join—membership is open to all!

Please note: All registrations are final. Refunds and cancellations are not available. 

Platform and Recordings:

Zoom recorded webinars will be offered on demand on the provision that the quality of the recording is adequate. CHIA cannot guarantee the availability of on demand viewing. 

CEUs: 

To receive CEUs for a session, you must participate in the entire activity—partial attendance will not qualify. Your participation will be timestamped to verify completion and issue certificates. CEUs are available for both live and on-demand participation.

Languages: 

Unless specifically mentioned in each session, all sessions will be presented in English. The content of presentations will apply to both spoken and sign language. Presenters may draw on examples using multiple languages as relevant to their content.

Training level: 

This event is intended for working interpreters and is appropriate for all experience levels. While interpreting students are welcome to attend CHIA events, these events are not specifically designed for students.

Questions? 

Email the Education Committee Chair: 

education@chiaonline.org

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