North Carolina

Since May 2020, PIH-US has served as a strategic advisor and technical assistance partner to North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services, public health implementers, and a network of community-based organizations to ensure equity is centered in every aspect of the state’s COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, care resource coordination and vaccine rollout. We helped shape state-level guidance to local health departments and provided subject matter expertise to launch, expand, and adapt the COVID-19 workforce, including a robust care resource coordination system that utilized the community health workforce to connect individuals to the basic support they needed to safely quarantine and isolate. Now, we’re accompanying and advising the state’s Department of Health and Human Services, the North Carolina Community Health Worker Association, and additional NC Community Health Worker Initiative partners as they integrate community health workers into public health and health systems for the long term.

As the state strengthens its Community Health Worker Initiative, we are focused on reshaping public health strategies to promote health equity and support resilient communities. PIH-US is working to ensure statewide infrastructure for community health workers includes training, certification, employment, and systems integration, while also elevating community health worker voices at state and federal levels to advocate for sustainable financing mechanisms. We also partner with community-based organizations to ensure they have the resources, network, and influence necessary to respond to the needs of the communities they serve. As trusted advisors, we help our partners bridge gaps in program design and implementation, and facilitate connections between health care, public health, and community-based leaders. Together, we are laying the foundation for a health system that links the most vulnerable communities to social and medical support.