HMD3 - Harnessing the Power of Community Health Workers in Emergency Response and Recovery

Session Description: Community Health Workers (CHWs) are more than just health advocates—they are trusted lifelines within the communities they serve, especially in underserved areas across the United States. During blue skies periods, CHWs are deeply embedded in the fabric of their neighborhoods, maintaining regular contact across diverse populations and offering critical insight into the health challenges, barriers, and needs of those they support.
But as natural disasters grow more intense, more frequent, and less predictable, the role of CHWs becomes even more vital. By integrating CHWs into health center emergency preparedness and recovery planning, clinics can tap into their unmatched knowledge of local needs—helping to ensure not only effective response during a crisis but also continuity of care that supports the health and mental health of communities as they recover and heal.
Drawing on experiences from some of the nation’s most disaster-affected communities, this interactive session will explore the challenges, lessons learned and best practices in embedding CHWs into core emergency management operations. As a nationwide responder working alongside and in support of health facilities during disasters and recovery, International Medical Corps will bring together FQHC networks and clinics from California, North Carolina and more, to share their experiences incorporating CHWs in emergency response and recovery; practical examples of shifts in policies or response planning as a result of recent disasters; and recommendations for future actions to shape stronger, more resilient communities.