§ 23-64.1-8. Health workforce diversity and development. The commission shall make recommendations for the coordination of state, local and private sector efforts to develop a more racially and ethnically diverse health care workforce. Such recommendations shall include the evaluation and development of the community health workforce. The commission may make recommendations for the recruitment, assignment, training and employment of community health workers by community-based health and wellness organizations, community-based health agencies, and other appropriate organizations. Community health workers are individuals who have direct knowledge of the communities they serve, and of the social determinants of health, and can assess the range of issues that may impact an individual's, a family's or a community's health and may facilitate improved individual and community well-being and should include, but not be limited to:

(1) Linking with services for legal challenges to unsafe housing conditions;

(2) Advocating with various state and local agencies to ensure that the individual/family receives appropriate benefits/services;

(3) Advocating for the individual/family within the health care system. This could be done in multiple settings (community-based organization, health care setting, legal service setting);

(4) Connecting the individual or family with the appropriate services/advocacy support to address those issues such as:

(i) Assisting in the application for public benefits to increase income and access to food and services;

(ii) Working with community-based health agencies and organizations in assisting individuals who are at-risk for or who have chronic diseases to receive better access to high- quality health care services;

(iii) Anticipating, identifying and helping patients to overcome barriers within the health care system to ensure prompt diagnostic and treatment resolution of an abnormal finding; and

(iv) Coordinating with the relevant health programs to provide information to individuals about health coverage, including RItecare and other sources of health coverage;

(5) Assisting the department of health, other agencies, health clinics, healthcare organizations, community clinics and their providers to implement and promote culturally competent care, effective language access policies, practices and disseminate best practices to state agencies;

(6) Training of health care providers to help patients/families access appropriate services, including social services, legal services and educational services.

(7) Advocating for solutions to the challenges and barriers to health that a community may face.

History of Section. (P.L. 2011, ch. 155, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 172, § 2.)