The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has awarded a grant to the Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA) to develop a multi-year campaign supporting and promoting the work of community health workers (CHWs). CHWs assist with access to health services, and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. The campaign will also increase the supply of a diverse and highly qualified CHW workforce in the state. The grant is entitled the Campaign to Advance the Community Health Worker Workforce in Illinois. The initial grant provides up to $25,000 to IPHA to develop a multi-year plan to promote and advance the CHW workforce in the state. Upon development of the plan, IPHA will be eligible for further, non-competitive annual “continuation grants” to implement the plan, for a period up to three years and a maximum award of approximately $2 million. As part of its work under the grant, IPHA will enlist the help of several partners, including:

• Illinois Community Health Workers Association

• Illinois Primary Health Care Association

• National Kidney Foundation of Illinois

• The HAP Foundation

For updates on this campaign and IPHA’s ongoing CHW workforce development efforts, visit www.ipha.com.