About
The Virginia Community Health Worker Association
The Virginia Community Health Worker Association is a nonprofit organization led by passionate public health professionals and community advocates. Founded in 2014, our mission is to serve, develop, and build stronger communities by promoting education, equity, and access in public health.
At a Glance
A Sneak Peek Into the Association
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Community health workers (CHWs) play an important role in improving cancer prevention, treatment, survivorship, and quality of life by serving as trusted links between patients, healthcare providers, and community resources.![]()
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Improving Access to Care:![]()
Help patients find cancer screening and treatment services.![]()
Assist with scheduling appointments and coordinating referrals.![]()
Help patients enroll in health insurance or financial assistance programs.![]()
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Patient Education:![]()
Explain cancer diagnoses and treatment options in easy-to-understand language.![]()
Promote healthy behaviors such as tobacco cessation, nutrition, and physical activity.![]()
Provide culturally appropriate education that reflects patients' beliefs and values.![]()
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Patient Navigation![]()
Guide patients through complex healthcare systems.![]()
Remind patients about appointments and treatment schedules.![]()
Coordinate communication among providers when appropriate.![]()
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Addressing Social Needs:![]()
CHWs often help identify and address social determinants of health by connecting patients with:![]()
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Transportation assistance![]()
Housing resources![]()
Food assistance![]()
Childcare![]()
Utility assistance![]()
Employment or disability resources![]()
Mental health and behavioral health services![]()
Emotional and Peer Support![]()
Offer encouragement throughout diagnosis and treatment.![]()
Reduce feelings of isolation.![]()
Help patients cope with stress and anxiety.![]()
Connect patients with cancer support groups and survivor networks.![]()
Supporting Treatment Adherence![]()
CHWs help patients stay engaged in care by:![]()
Following up after appointments.![]()
Identifying barriers to completing treatment.![]()
Encouraging medication adherence.![]()
Helping resolve issues that could lead to missed treatments.![]()
Supporting Survivorship![]()
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By combining education, advocacy, navigation, and social support, community health workers help ensure that cancer patients receive timely, coordinated, and equitable care throughout the entire cancer journey. Their work is especially important in rural areas, medically underserved communities, and populations that have historically experienced disparities in cancer outcomes.
Gracias al equipo de VACHWA por su dedicación al servicio de la comunidad. ![]()
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Un agradecimiento especial an Oscar y a todas las manos que hacen posible Radio Poder. ![]()
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¡Juntos seguimos amplificando la voz de nuestras comunidades! ❤️📻 #VACHWA #RadioPoder
Typical salary ranges for CHWs in the Richmond area are: ![]()
• Entry-level: approximately $37,000–$42,000/year ![]()
• Mid-career: approximately $46,000–$52,000/year ![]()
• Experienced: approximately $60,000–$74,000/year, depending on employer, certifications, and responsibilities.![]()
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Some recent Richmond-area job postings include: ![]()
• $20–$21/hour for part-time university positions. ![]()
• $23–$26.20/hour for community-based care organizations. ![]()
• $20–$36/hour for some managed care organizations, depending on experience and role.![]()
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If you're considering becoming a CHW in Richmond, employers often include: ![]()
• Virginia Commonwealth University ![]()
• VCU Health ![]()
• Bon Secours ![]()
• Sentara Health ![]()
• Richmond and Henrico Health Districts ![]()
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If you have a certification (such as a Certified Community Health Worker) or bilingual skills, salaries can be higher, with certified CHWs averaging around $59,000/year in Richmond. ![]()
Sources: Indeed, Salary.com and Bureau of Labor Statistics
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