Community Health Workers (CHWs) are frontline public health workers who are trusted members of a community with a close understanding of its history, language, and traditions. The role of CHWs is to help people in their own communities to access the health and human services they may need to both get and stay healthy.

At the Healthcare Consortium, we call our CHWs “Helpers.”  Through our Helpers for Health Project, our Helpers assist individuals and families in Columbia and Greene Counties in a variety of ways.  They provide information, education, coaching, advocacy, and assistance.

For instance, Helpers can help clients to find…

  • Primary care providers
  • Specialists
  • Dentists
  • Eye doctors
  • Counselors/therapists
  • Pharmacies

In addition, the Helpers can assist clients with the following:

  • Understanding health insurance terms
  • Learning how to use health insurance and making use of all its benefits
  • Scheduling medical appointments
  • Arranging medical transportation, childcare and interpretation services
  • Setting health goals and making a plan to achieve them

The Helpers provide free, one-on-one service, regardless of income or insurance status. Clients can be assisted by phone or in-person at a location that is most convenient for them (for example, a local library).

For more information, call Lisa Thomas at 518-822-8820, ext. 307.