As trusted frontline public health professionals, Community Health Workers (CHWs)—most of whom are people of color—play a critical role in bridging the gap between marginalized communities and the health care system. Better integration of CHWs has been shown to improve health outcomes, reduce provider strain, and support equitable career advancement for CHWs. Across New York, CHW leaders and advocates are fueling a statewide movement. For the first time, CHWs are engaging in organized federal advocacy. Regional networks in New York City and the North Country are being revitalized after years of dormancy. Despite this surge in activity, efforts remain largely siloed and lack statewide coordination. In 2025, NYHealth awarded a grant to the CHW Hub to organize and strengthen the CHW profession across New York State.
Under this grant, the CHW Hub will align and support advocacy, workforce development, and training initiatives. It will convene local and regional partners to explore reactivating the CHW Network of New York City, coordinate complementary efforts, and recruit influential stakeholders into new coalition-building opportunities. The CHW Hub will also represent New York in federal policy discussions and help shape ongoing conversations about training standards and certification.