Washington State is building a stronger, more connected community‑based workforce—people like Community Health Workers (CHWs), peer navigators, and other trusted frontline staff who help families access support, navigate complex systems, and feel seen and understood. The first two phases of our multi‑year effort set the foundation for collective action by bringing leaders together around a shared vision and listening deeply to the people doing the work every day.
Phase 1 — Creating shared understanding (completed February 2025)
Phase 1 brought state leaders, agencies, and community organizations together to build a common picture of the CBW landscape. Partners reviewed existing models, identified gaps in support and supervision, and aligned around shared priorities for the future. This phase set the table for long‑term collaboration and created a clear foundation for the work ahead.
Phase 2 —Listening to those on the frontlines (in progress)
In our current phase of work, we’re building on that foundation by turning directly to CBWs and community members for insight. Through interviews, workshops, and community‑centered research, this phase focuses on understanding what the workforce experiences each day—and what would make their work more supported, sustainable, and impactful.
What we’re focusing on:
- Learning from CBWs themselves—listening closely to their day‑to‑day work, strengths, challenges, and the value they bring to their communities.
- Gathering stories, experiences, and data directly from workers and community members so the picture we build reflects the people who know this work best.
- Identifying what’s getting in the way—and what’s possible, surfacing barriers to growth and stability along with opportunities to strengthen and scale this essential workforce.
Looking Ahead: Phase 3 — Turning insights into action
As we begin to surface patterns and themes, our next phase will shift toward making sense of those findings and transforming them into early solutions. Pending funding and support from the field, our next phase would bring community voices and policymakers together to co‑design prototypes—new ideas for training, supervision, resources, and career pathways that respond directly to what workers and communities have shared. This creative, collaborative stage would be focused on shaping what a stronger, more sustainable workforce could look like.
- Jodi Sandfort
- Amanda Bankston
- Cali Jahn
- Jessika Gill
- Julianne Slate Weaver
- Evelyn Nganga
- Julia Karon
General inquiries about the project may be addressed to: evansepic@uw.edu.