What is a Community-Based Worker?
At North Sound ACH, we use the term community-based (CBW) workforce to describe the individuals who walk alongside community members every day — helping them access resources, navigate systems, and break down barriers such as language, transportation, or cultural differences.
This workforce includes many trusted roles and titles: community health workers (CHWs), community health representatives (CHRs), community navigators, outreach workers, promotores/as de salud, family advocates, doulas, patient navigators, and others who connect people with the supports they need to thrive.
Many CBWs bring lived experience to their roles, allowing them to understand and respond to the realities their communities face. They often support individuals and families with needs that span health, housing, food access, and other social and economic challenges — offering wraparound care that goes beyond traditional service models.
Their work is grounded in trust, relationships, and belonging — essential elements for meaningful and lasting change.
Community-Based Work vs Community Health Worker?
– Community-Based Worker (CBW): a broad term for people working within communities to meet a variety of social, economic, and health needs.
– Community Health Worker (CHW): a specific role within that workforce focused on health and wellness — connecting individuals to healthcare, offering health education, and promoting prevention and well-being.
No matter the title, these workers are vital partners in building healthier, more connected communities!
