Mission & Priorities
What We Believe
Our Mission
To unite and empower Pennsylvania’s Community Health Workers through active collaboration, education, advocacy, and support. We champion the development of a strong professional identity through leadership in statewide advocacy and policy change to impact the communities we serve.
Our Vision
The PACHW Collaborative’s vision is a future where all of Pennsylvania’s Community Health Workers have the opportunity to actively shape policies, decisions, and resources that impact the social drivers of health in Pennsylvania. We strive to create healthy communities and improve health outcomes through inclusivity, accessibility, and whole-person care.
Our Values
- Collaboration
- Compassion
- Diversity
- Empathy
- Integrity
- CHW-Driven
- Empowerment
- Respect
- Trust
- Alignment
- Inclusivity
- Advocacy
- Commitment
- Care
Our Priorities
AWARENESS
Educate individuals, especially PA stakeholders, about what services CHWs provide and what they can offer in their communities.
SUSTAINABLE
FINANCING
Advocate for and develop sustainable financing approaches to support the long-term employment of CHWs in PA.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Make opportunities available for PACHWs to advance or grow in their careers.
EMPOWERMENT
Empower CHWs with the support needed to lead, identify, and drive advocacy efforts.
Nothing About Us Without Us
PACHW was founded to be CHW-led and CHW-driven. PACHW prioritizes the active participation of CHWs in its decision making and follows the disability rights movement mantra of ‘nothing about us without us.’ The Board is led by a Pennsylvania CHW and board members consist of a majority of CHWs, alongside allies. PACHW committees also prioritize CHW membership. After years of grassroots work, PACHW voted to move toward becoming an official nonprofit organization in 2023.
In 2023, PACHW grew to be statewide and now encompasses nearly 400 members, including CHWs, CHW employers, stakeholders, funders, and health plans.
