CCHR’s work very closely with nurses and others in healthcare teams to help improve and maintain the spiritual, physical, intellectual, social and emotional well-being of individuals, families and their communities. Under the direction of health care professionals, they may provide services in all or some of the following areas:
- health promotion and education
- client care
- health protection
- community advocacy
- cultural liaison
- administration
For example, community health representatives may:
Assist with organizing health education workshops
Design or help create culturally appropriate education resources
Conduct home visits to build relationships with community members and provide information and support
Assist with providing health promotion and injury prevention services such as prenatal classes, elders’ luncheons or health conferences
Assist in infant and adult immunization programs
Monitor clients who have chronic diseases
Conduct home visits, and coordinate the good food box program
Deliver prescriptive medicines to elders with no other help available.
Assist with health screening programs such as scheduling regular mammogram appointments for women, pre-school screening, and tb screening
Implement school-based programs such as head checks and project Charlie Refer clients and families to appropriate resources and services, and help them overcome any access barriers
Recommend improvements regarding the delivery of health care
Act as a liaison and collaborate with community leaders, agencies and service providers
Assist with coordinating or facilitating community health initiatives such as healthy babies programs
Monitor the safety of the community’s water supply
Provide information about personal hygiene, safe food handling, safe water quality and waste disposal
Assist in the investigation of communicable disease outbreaks and provide information, screening, and follow-up
Assist in housing inspections, emergency preparedness and disaster planning, and helping to plan and provide necessary support at special or planned events (for example, special assemblies, feasts, conferences, etc.)
Translate or describe routine medical processes and procedures for clients or interpret cultural practices or beliefs for health care professionals
Assist in developing partnerships with community-based agencies or external health care providers
For more information or to request assistance in any of the above areas, click here to contact the CCHR in your community.