Minnesota Statewide Community Health Woker Meeting is coming up soon!

Here is the link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mn-chw-alliance-statewide-meeting-tickets-267836605497

The Alliance is excited to host another Statewide Meeting to discuss the growth of CHWs across the state of Minnesota.

The meeting will begin with updates from across the state from:

Connie Norman, CHW, Sanford Bemidji

Vanessa Southworth, Director of Winona CHW Hub, South East Minnesota

Tara Nelson, CHW Program Director, IMAA Rochester

Christine Bullerman, Sanford Worthington

Sarah Blonigan, Director, Trellis Juniper

Jihan Rashid, Director, Twin Cities CHW Hub, Pilsbury United Communities

Michelle Heerey, Executive Director, Wellshare International, Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota

and more.

The presentation section of the agenda will cover supporting the growth of CHW Strategies in Minnesota with facilitators Kristen Godfrey Walters (Hennepin Health Care, Legislative Action Committee) and Catherine Diamond (Minnesota Department of Health).

University of Minnesota Research Interviews

Wear and Care: Direct Care Work During the COVID-19 Pandemic

A team of researchers from the University of Minnesota is conducting a study about direct care workers and working during the pandemic. If you are interested in being interviewed about their experiences, please feel free to contact them below:

· Participants will take part in an interview about work experiences and future plans.

· Participants will receive a $50 gift card.

Participation Eligibility:

To participate in an interview you must:

· Be over 18-years-old

· Have access to internet or a Smartphone

· Have worked in direct care at any point during the COVID-19 pandemic in a health care setting.

If you or someone you know are interested in learning more about the study, you can fill out this online form or send an email to hcworkerstudy@umn.edu The University of Minnesota IRB have approved this study.

Study Team:

Janette Dill, Associate Professor – Division of Health Policy & Management, School of Public Health

Tom VanHeuvelen, Associate Professor – Department of Sociology

Jane VanHeuvelen, Contract Assistant Professor – Department of Sociology

Christina Ewig, Professor of Public Affairs – Faculty Director for the Center on Women, Gender and Public Policy

Follow up to the February Learning Circle meeting and resources

Agenda: MNCHWA Learning Circle February 2, 2022

Mission: The mission of the MNCHWA Learning Circle is to provide monthly meetings that allow CHWs to connect, learn and tap into one another’s knowledge through discussion. The MNCHWA Learning Circle is brought to you by the Minnesota CHW Alliance which lays out a platform designed of clear organizational goals and objectives for the advancement of all those in the CHW profession.

Vision: The MNCHWA Learning Circle vision is to create a workforce that encompasses the voice of those in the CHW profession.

Guiding Principle: Support Our vision ……. Nothing About Us!!!! Without Us!!!! (TBD Principles)

MNCHWA Circle Meeting Facilitator: Angela Fields, CHW/leadership graduate and MNCHWA co-leader.

I. Discussion Topic: Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia (Alzheimer’s Association)

1. Welcome and Roll Call: (who is on the call) including our rural CHWs.

2. Guest: Jen Rooney Trellis/Juniper Team Member: ACT on Alzheimer’s and Juniper Provider Relationship Manager.

3. Guest Speakers: Jenna Fink, LSW Senior Community Services Manager Alzheimer’s Association Minnesota- North Dakota. (Bio attached)

3. Guest CHW Panelist Participants:

Ø Vonyee Howard: (CHW) Public Guardian Hennepin County Adult Guardian Dept.

Ø Xue Yang: CHW/ Engagement Specialist Trellis/Juniper

Ø Juan Perez: CHW at Sanford Health (Worthington)

Ø Angela Fields: (CHW) MNCHWA meeting facilitator/Trellis/Juniper

Highlight on the guest/presenter:

Jenna Fink, LSW
Senior Community Services Manager
Alzheimer’s Association Minnesota-North Dakota
Jenna Fink has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Winona State University in Winona,
Minnesota. She has been a licensed social worker (LSW) since 2007. Prior to her position at the
Alzheimer’s Association, Jenna worked as a nursing facility social worker in memory care, long-term care, and short-term rehab settings.
Jenna has been working for the Alzheimer’s Association® since 2010. In her position, Jenna
oversees the Minnesota education and outreach programs. Jenna also offers phone and in-person
support services to individuals with dementia and their families by providing dementia education,
information about resources in their community, and assisting with developing a plan for the future
based on their goals and needs. Jenna also manages chapter support for the 24/7 Helpline

Click here to view Jenna’s presentation

February CHW Spotlight Xue Yang

Xue Yang is a Community Health Worker and Wellness Engagement Specialist with Juniper. In his positions with Juniper, Xue educates and connects Minnesotans with evidence-based health promotion classes and community resources to address social determinants of health needs. Xue is a trained leader for three of Juniper’s evidence-based health promotion classes: Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance, Living Well with Chronic Conditions, and Living Well with Chronic Pain.

His passion lies in working with diverse communities to ensure everyone receives equitable health care and social services so they can thrive within their communities. Xue credits his family and his mother as the driving force for his positive attitude, hard work ethics and passion for helping those in need.

Xue Yang received his undergraduate degree in Community Health Education from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 2014 and his Community Health Worker Certification from the Minnesota West Community and Technical College in May of 2021. Xue has experience as a Program Coordinator providing quality services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and other complex challenges and experience working with health plans as a behavioral health provider advocate.

On a personal note, Xue is a first-generation Hmong American. Xue’s hometown is located in La Crosse, WI and currently lives with his partner in Oakdale, MN. In his free time, Xue likes to surround himself with nature by taking long, peaceful walks at the Nature Preserve, playing board games and enjoy spending time with family and friends.

Xue is currently employed as a Community Health Worker and Wellness Engagement Specialist with Juniper (formerly known as Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging). Xue started out in 2019 with Trellis as a Wellness Engagement Specialist and has expanded his responsibilities with the Community Health Worker role and as a leader for Juniper evidence-based programs. Juniper is a robust network of community-based organizations and health care systems that offers evidence-based programs to help older adults to stay independent and healthy within their communities.