The Arizona Community Health Worker Association (AzCHOW) and Arizona Public Health
Association (AzPHA) have adopted the American Public Health Association definition of a
Community Health Worker:
“A community health worker is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has
an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the
worker to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to
facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. A
community health worker also builds individual and community capacity by increasing health
knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education,
informal counseling, social support and advocacy.” (APHA, 2017)
The professional term Community Health Worker encompasses those who work in a
variety of organizations and communities in Arizona.
CHWs may work under a variety of different job titles, including promotor/a, Community Health Representatives, Community Health Advisors, Peer Support Specialists, Health Navigators and Community Outreach workers,
among others.
All of these job titles are united under the “umbrella” of Community Health Workers because they share common core competencies and skills.
For the purposes of this application and the training program approval process, the
term “Community Health Workers” is inclusive of all individuals that work in the capacities
outlined by the American Public Health Association definition of a CHW, regardless of job title.