Community Health Workers (CHWs) are non-professional health care providers who offer personalized support to families.

CHWs take direction from patients and their families about their priorities and can assist with:

● Accessing benefits and services like Employment Insurance and maternity benefits, the Affordable Child Care Benefit, Income Assistance, the Housing Registry, and more.

● Mapping current social connections and community supports and building new ones.

● Navigating immigration processes.

● Connecting to free or affordable supports for physical and mental health.

The first visit with a Community Health Worker is an opportunity to assess your needs and goals. Together, families and CHWs can:

• Explore priorities: Discuss key social determinants of health, such as housing, income, employment, social connection, and immigration status.

• Create a personalized plan: Identify areas for change, set specific goals, and establish a timeline that works for the family.

• Connect to resources: Learn about available services, supports and resources, determine eligibility, and receive support accessing them. 

• Navigating systems: Work together to fill out paperwork, make phone calls to government agencies, and navigate relationships with landlords, employers and service providers.

When working with a Community Health Worker, families can decide what to work on, when to start, and how to approach challenges. The family is the expert in their own experience, and CHWs are there to provide support.