Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Community Support Specialists (CSS) play a vital role in connecting individuals to healthcare and community-based resources, particularly in rural settings where access and coordination challenges are often significant. They support patients in navigating complex systems, managing chronic conditions, and addressing social determinants of health such as transportation, housing, and access to care.
This session will examine how CHWs and CSSs help close critical gaps in care coordination that contribute to avoidable emergency department utilization and poor chronic disease outcomes. Drawing on rural health data trends and existing infrastructure, the presentation will explore current challenges in chronic care management, care fragmentation, and unmet social needs across rural communities.
Participants will also gain an understanding of the CHW/CSS scope of work, including care navigation, patient engagement, and coordination with clinical and community services. The session will highlight how these roles improve outcomes by strengthening trust, improving adherence, reducing avoidable utilization, and supporting long-term system sustainability. Finally, it will discuss the financial and operational value of integrating CHWs and CSSs into rural health systems and opportunities for future expansion.
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Target Audience: Hospitals, clinicians, providers, FQHCs, rural health clinics, public health departments, community-based organizations, policymakers, healthcare executives, EMS and transportation professionals, and other stakeholders involved in rural health delivery and systems design.
MRHA Webinar: Community Health Workers: The Missing Link
Thursday, August 27th at 12:00 PM
Zoom
Hosted by the Missouri Rural Health Association and presented by Autum Martin, Project Manager at the Rural Health Redesign Center, this session is part of the Missouri Rural Health Association’s Annual Conference and is FREE OF CHARGE and open to the public. If you'd like to learn more about supporting our ongoing education efforts click here.