Traditional Health Workers
Traditional Health Workers (THWs) are an umbrella term for frontline public health workers who work in the community, clinic and/or hospital. They support individuals in a variety of ways to achieve better health.
THWs walk alongside members connecting them with resources to address their unmet needs.
Things that THWs can help you with are:
- Scheduling a visit
- Finding a ride to your visit
- Getting access to food
- Finding childcare
- Getting screening tests
There are six types of THWs available to you:
- Community Health Workers (CHW): CHWs can help you in receiving the healthcare you need.
- Peer Support Specialists (PSS): PSS can give support, encouragement and help to those facing addictions and mental health issues.
- Peer Wellness Specialists (PWS): PWS give support, encouragement and help to address physical and mental health needs.
- Personal Health Navigators (PHN): PHNs offer care coordination for members from within the health system.
- Birth Doulas: Doulas give companionship and personal, non-medical support to women and families throughout the pregnancy, childbirth, and post-partum experience. Learn more about the role of a Birth Doula and how they provide support.
- Tribal THWs: Tribal traditional health workers facilitate the delivery of culturally responsive care to tribal community members or urban Indian communities, including utilizing tribal based practices to aid in achieving whole health and wellness.
To obtain more information on how to become a THW visit the OHA website” with a hyperlink to this page, https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ei/pages/how-to-become-a-thw.aspx
Remember that there are some traditional health workers located in your physical, behavioral, and dental providers’ offices. You can find contact information for different types of THW’s on our Find A Provider page.
You can get more information on our local THWs by calling our THW Liaison at 971-261-1996.
Still wondering how a traditional health worker can be useful to you? Talk with your care team or PCP to help you decide.
If you are a THW provider and are interested in joining our provider network please email us at providerrelations@yamhillcco.org.
