About Us

New Mexico Community Health Workers Association (NMCHWA)

Mano En Mano Thrift Store

NMCHWA Board of Directors

Mission Statement, Strategic Plan and Vision

NMCHWA Brochure (Word)

History of Community Health Workers Programs

Network Executive Board
An executive board was elected as follows: President, Vice-president, Secretary and Treasurer. Board orientations are held annually to help define roles and orient the newly elected board. CHWs. fill the board positions, board training is provided annually for new officers. Quarterly meetings continued to be held to address issues of importance for programs, provide training, make decisions and set goals for NMCHWA, to plan conferences/training and lobbying efforts. The board is a volunteer board, there is no salary attached to the positions. This board is currently seen as the executive board that includes: the president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer. Whenever possible the board should reflect representation from different parts of the state. There is also a Board of Directors that is currently being developed since NMCHWA became a 501(C)3 in 2002.

Governance and By-laws
By-laws were developed to help guide the association. These have been revised in applying for their non-profit status. The meeting at the annual conference is used for electing a new executive board. The new officers are installed during the conference graduation and awards ceremony. The by-laws address components of the organization such as who is eligible for membership, the executive board, the mission, voting, quorum, definition of a CHW, meetings, minutes, sub-committees, procedure for complaints, representation and communication. Operating Procedures are currently being developed.

The NMCHWA has put on 6 annual training conferences. Attendees have come from all over the country. The first one was held in September 1996 and the last one was in December 2002. Funding for the conferences have come from organizations such as RWJ, UNM Kellogg Community Voices Project, Archdiocese of Santa Fe, March of Dimes, Department of Health, Cimarron (HMO) and the University of New Mexico CASAA Program. Scholarships for registration fees, travel and board are provided for Promotores whose programs are unable to fund expenses if funding allows.

Legislative Initiatives
NMCHWA participated in the development of Senate Joint Memorial 76 for the 2003 Legislative Session that will initiate the development of a task force around a study in that will evaluate the value of CHWs to the health care delivery system and their impact on public health outcomes; Economic development and access to health care. SJM 76 was passed. The results of the study, including legislative recommendations to address economic opportunities for the communities, will be reported to the interim legislative health and human services committee at its October 2003 meeting.

NMCHWA National Initiatives
NMCHWA is a board member of the Lay Health Workers National Network/Red Nacional De Promotors de Salud. They serve on the planning committee for the annual national conference and in the development of CHW training needs, sustainability of CHW programs, Medicaid reimbursement efforts and certification initiatives. NMCHWA member is nominated by their peers to represent the Association at the national level.