Welcome Rachel Stoll as the New HRSA Program Manager

Rachel Stoll, HRSA Program Manager

Hello! I am so excited to be working with the Minnesota Community Health Worker Alliance and MDH to implement the HRSA grant. This is such an amazing opportunity for Minnesota and such an incredible time to be part of the Community Health Worker Movement.

To this experience I am bringing experience of direct work as a CHW for the Winona Community HUB program as well as experience as the Winona Community HUB Manager, a role that I will continue in throughout my work with MNCHWA on this project.

Like many CHWs, when I learned about the CHW profession it felt like putting a name to work that I had been doing in my community for years. Prior to earning my CHW Certificate, I lived and worked in collectively run emergency shelters where we shared space and lived in community with folks who were most affected by unjust structures.

It is the deep knowledge and understanding of communities most affected by these unjust structures that makes the role of CHWs so vital in our healthcare system, and I am thrilled that this expertise is beginning to be valued in tangible ways like this grant from HRSA.

I am so thankful to be working with such a talented team; I know that we are going to do awesome work together!

Thanks!

Welcome Vonyee Howard as the new HRSA Field Experience/Apprenticeship Coordinator

Vonyee Howard, HRSA Field Experience/Apprenticeship Coordinator

Vonyee’s extensive background and experience in healthcare and human services has allowed her to evolve and foster her reputation as an “expert CHW” in Minnesota.

Vonyee’s Community Health Worker (CHW) career includes an array of work experiences, competencies and skills acquired both in the past, as well as along the way. Retaining and honoring the importance of these collectives has proven to be complimentary to Vonyee’s individual style of work as a CHW. Within the profession, Vonyee is known for her work with Older Adults as well as with adults diagnosed with chronic health conditions. During her tenure as a CHW, Vonyee has developed programs, implemented and modeled the standards of the CHW role, trained CHWs and organizations where CHWs are employed, and more. 

Vonyee authored the Healthy Aging module of revised Minnesota CHW Certificate Curriculum. 

Currently, Vonyee is an Independent CHW Consultant and Contractor, and is the HRSA Grant Field Experience/Apprenticeship Coordinator at the MN CHW Alliance. She is also a Doula. 

The CHW Registry Is No Longer Taking Scholarship Applications for Membership

Hello All,

Thank you to everyone who has been following the Alliance for a while. We are no longer taking applications for the CHW Registry. Scholarships are only available based on funding availability. Sorry for any inconvenience. Please check back later. 

If there are any questions, please email Angela Fields, Associate Executive Director, at angela.fields@mnchwalliance.org.

Thanks!

Governor Tim Walz included funding for CHW in Minnesota

Governor Tim Walz has included a line item dedicating $971,000 in funding for CHW strategies in the Minnesota Supplemental Budget this legislative session. Please feel free to share this CHW Awareness Flier and the Community Health Workers Fact Sheet from the Minnesota Department of Health.  Thank you Governor Walz for your support of CHWs.

2 Grant Opportunities Offered by Second Harvest Heartland

Here are two grant opportunities being offered by Second Harvest Heartland.This School Emergency Food Program Grant is open until Feb 10th. (click for more details/to apply)

Second Harvest Heartland School Emergency Food Program Grants will support the startup, expansion, continuation, and innovation of school site-affiliated emergency food programs that increase access to nutritious, desired, and culturally connected foods for students and their families. Eligible school site-affiliated emergency food programs include:   

  • School-based Food Pantry    
  • Food Distributions/Pop-up Produce at Schools    
  • Weekend Food Bag/Backpack Programs at Schools    
  • Mobile Markets/Meal Delivery at Schools    

APPLICATION ELIGIBILITY  

  • Applicants must be a Second Harvest Heartland Agency Partner in good financial standing 
  • Programs and services must be located in Minnesota counties in Second Harvest Heartland’s service area 
  • Priority will be given to applicants who are focusing efforts to meet the needs of students of color and underserved students impacted by systemic and structural health, social and economic inequities.  

School Nutrition Program Grant- apply until Feb 10th

OVERVIEW  

Second Harvest Heartland School Nutrition Program Grants will support the startup, expansion, continuation, and innovation of School Nutrition and Out-of-School Time Meal Programs that increase access to nutritious, desired, and culturally connected foods for students. Eligible programs include:  

  • School meals for students through School Nutrition Programs  – School Breakfast Program (SBP)  – National School Lunch Program (NSLP)  
  • Meals and snacks for students through Out-of-School Time Meal Options  – NSLP snack  -Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) At-Risk Afterschool Meals Program  -CACFP Outside-School-Hours Care Component  

APPLICATION ELIGIBILITY  

  • Applicants must be a public school district, authorized charter school, or 501(c)(3) designated not-for-profit organization that operates School Nutrition or Out-of-School Time Meal Programs and in good financial standing  
  • Programs and services must be located in Minnesota counties in Second Harvest Heartland’s service area 
  • Priority will be given to applicants who are focusing efforts to meet the needs of students of color and underserved students impacted by systemic and structural health, social and economic inequities Please Note: Applicants who have not previously received a Second Harvest Heartland grant for the 2022-2023 school year will be given priority.