THE MECHW INITIATIVE

About us

Mission & Vision


MECHWI Vision for the Future


The Maine Community Health Worker Initiative (MECHWI) envisions a health care and public health system that works for everyone, where disparities in access and outcomes have been eliminated; where essential services are available when, where, and how they’re needed; where community input drives design and decision-making; where a highly trained workforce has the skills and experience to meet community needs; and where community conditions support the health, hope, and productivity of every child and adult in Maine.


Core Functions of MECHWI

  • We maintain a professional hub that provides community-led networking, peer support, and professional development opportunities for Community Health Workers in Maine.
  • We grow and foster a competent community health workforce in Maine.
  • We promote the value of Community Health Workers among Maine people and communities.
  • We advocate for policies and practices that support the Community Health Worker profession and its integration within diverse sectors, settings, and systems, including community-based organizations, healthcare, public health, education, and social services.

MECHWI Mission Statement


MECHWI works to eliminate disparities in Maine communities and systems of care by cultivating a network of well-trained and peer-supported Community Health Workers who are highly valued and fully integrated within diverse sectors and settings.

Staff


Bridgette Dairyko (Gemelli) - Project Coordinator

Bridgette has more than 30 years of experience working in public health, including her participation in the first CHW training offered in Maine by MCD in 2012 and the CHW Train the Trainer course in 2016. With this extensive experience, she has provided several training courses throughout the state.


CHW Advisory Committee


Self-determination is one of the core values of the CHW profession. It is essential that CHWs have a hand in shaping the future direction of their field in Maine. In 2022, The Maine CHW Initiative elected seven CHWs to serve on the network's first Advisory Committee. The CHW Advisors direct decision making, lead strategic planning, build consensus, engage stakeholders, and advocate for the profession.

History

2013 2013 - 2017 2017 2023 Moving Forward

2013


  • The Maine Community Health Worker Initiative (MECHWI) began as a workforce development effort to build the Community Healthy Worker (CHW)profession in Maine.
  • The Maine CDC secured funding as part of the State Innovation Models(SIM) grant to establish the Maine CHW Initiative.

2013 - 2017


Over the next four years, the Maine CHW Initiative made significant contributions to building a foundation for the workforce. The project successfully:

  • formed a stakeholder group that supported a growing network of CHWs.
  • defined the roles and skills that would serve as the basis of professional development.
  • implemented four CHW pilot projects.
  • designed a core skills curriculum and convened the first statewide core skills training for CHWs.
  • released a report on sustainable funding models for the CHW profession.

2017


Following the completion of the SIM grant in 2017, the Maine CHW Initiative remained active through the stakeholder group and ongoing training efforts. The Maine Mobile Health Program served as the central convener of the initiative and was able to:

  • expand the stakeholder group that was formed during the SIM Project.
  • develop a vision and mission informed by stakeholders.
  • conduct an environmental scan of the workforce.
  • commission a report on the steps for advancing CHW certification in Maine.
  • convene with CHWs to define components of a CHW certification

2023


MCD Global Health has emerged as a strategic partner that supports the activities of the Maine CHW Initiative.

Moving forward


The Maine CHW Initiative will continue to foster collaboration among CHWs and stakeholders around the priorities of promoting CHW leadership, career pathways, sustainability, and professional identity.


The initiative will also continue to provide support, resources and education to MECHW workforce to enhance better health outcomes.