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MISSION & VALUES
Our mission is to ensure that the COVID-19 pandemic response and rebuilding efforts are equitable and effective and involve, fund, strengthen, and elevate trusted community-based workers. The members of the Community-Based Workforce Alliance believe and are accountable for the following values:Â
• We affirm the dignity and humanity of all human beings.Â
• We demonstrate racial equity and pursue anti-racist action.Â
• We amplify and center the expertise of the Community-Based Workforce.Â
• We prioritize capacity building, resource sharing, and investment with community-based community-led organizations.Â
• We commit to and create space for transparency and candor.Â
• We embrace shared learning and nimbleness.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The national CBW Alliance formed with a clear purpose: Collaborate to advance six Community-Based Workforce Principles for Pandemic Response & Resilience, developed by HealthBegins in May 2020. Learn more about the Principles and associated strategies.
RECRUIT WITH A RACIAL EQUITY FRAMEWORK
Apply a racial equity lens to recruit contact tracers from highly impacted communities. Pay a living wage. Include residents, trusted workers, and leaders in governance and advisory groups.
LAUNCH A COMMUNITY-BASED JOBS PROGRAM
Leverage existing and expected federal funds to engage unemployed or dislocated workers with living wage jobs that meet contact tracing and other community needs.
INVEST IN TRUSTED WORKERS, INCLUDING CHWS
Response & recovery will move at the speed of trust. Pay and expand the authority of trusted, trained community health workers & promotores to support and join contact tracers.
EMBED JOB TRAINING & PIPELINES TO LOCAL CAREERS
Engage nonprofit workforce training partners to address basic skills gaps and create a pipeline to careers in local health departments, community-based organizations, and local businesses.
STRENGTHEN CONNECTIONS WITH PSYCHOSOCIAL SERVICES
Use social vulnerability data and proven tools to identify household psychosocial needs among isolated and quarantined contacts and to connect them to community resources.
STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE & FINANCING
Braid funds to sustain essential nonprofits and invest in outcomes funds, wellness trusts, and other place-based payment models that align with long-term community health outcomes.