Wellshare International

Domestic programming evidence-based early childhood family home visiting Wellshare will reach 36 somali and oromo families with children prenatal to 5 years with two years using the parents as teachers model: - helping parents understand child development and improve parenting skills, - identifying developmental delays early, - providing community building and knowledge of resources, and, ultimately, - improving children's school readiness. The goal of the fhv program is to expand and scale-up services to somali and oromo families transitioning from an evidence-based family home visiting program so that more somali and oromo children in the twin cities grow up in a safe environment, are healthy, and are prepared to learn when they enroll in school. East african smoke-free program established in 2013, Wellshare's tobacco-free communities east african smoke-free program, funded by the mn department of health, aims to reduce the harm caused by tobacco and secondhand smoke among somali and east african children, youth, and young adults. Highlights from the 2022 project year include: adoption of 35 smoke-free business and commercial tobacco-free event policies; community outreach and education to +8,000 individuals; 150 youth reached through presentations, partnership-building with a wide range of stakeholders (sherman management, riverside plaza tenant association, the city of minneapolis department of public health), and completion of an evaluation of cessation practices in clinics serving somali/east african residents in public housing. After-school programming for east african and hispanic youth - 'the young achievers' this Wellshare after-school program for east african and hispanic youth, offers a constructive environment for youth to learn, be creative, interact with positive adults, learn skills to prepare them for employment & higher education by working for their community on public health issues. This program is conducted in partnership with schools, libraries, and community centers. In 2023, approximately 82 youth participated in the 9-month leadership, academic, and physical development support program. As part of the program, youth led community-based health promotion educational sessions for 150 community members. Sexual and reproductive health services our sexual and reproductive health services program is designed to reach people in a variety of ways. Our program serves both adults and young people. This programming can impact the environment through talking about topics that are often stigmatized. Many communities experience significant barriers to education and resources on sexual and reproductive health. Topics covered include contraception, sexually transmitted infections, accessing clinical services, healthy and unhealthy relationships, communication skills, healthy pregnancy, mental health, and benefits of child spacing. As Wellshare community health workers represent the communities served, they are able to tailor their education to be culturally specific. Within a community partner's program, we can reach people through community outreach events, small group education, and one- to-one education. Wellshares staff also can provide partner support through staff training support, assessing and reporting back on participant needs, and partnering in co-created projects. Health plan partnerships Wellshare partners with the major health plans in Minnesota. Helping people navigate complex social and health systems for effective use of preventive health services and the full range of their service benefits. We partner with clinic systems, health plans, social service providers and government agencies to reduce access barriers and drive transformative change for gap closure in social drivers of health and use of clinical services. Mental health promotion Wellshare has established new partnerships to deliver culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health promotion sessions and respond to other community needs. Trained 18 chw in delivering learning to breathe, a training focused on mindfulness, attention and emotional regulation. Wellshare completed 33 mental health promotion cohorts. 809 community members participated in mental health promotion classes during the year from the planned 150. Wellshare delivered over 4,206 materials that focus on mental health and wellbeing to community members. 4,139 people were reached on social media. Covid-19 response Wellshare's covid-19 response provides a critical lifeline for immigrants and refugees in Minnesota, providing services and information to over 100,000 individuals this year. Wellshare chw's distributed more than 7000 at-home testing kits, and equipped more than 6000 people with ppe such as hand sanitizer and face masks. In 2023 we strengthened our partnerships with local organizations and fellow public health agencies to vaccinate over 1,254 people. Wellshare, mankato area our chw service hub in mankato partners with local clinics and community organizations. Activities include direct clinic to hub referrals for people experiencing social determinants of health needs. We also collaborate with clinicians and community on health equity research and offering covid-19 testing and vaccine pop up clinics. Marginalized communities of many demographics in rural areas face unique barriers to communities outside the twin cities. Additionally, group classes are convening to advance health education for youth leadership and adult physical fitness promotion. Workforce development in partnership with a number of Minnesota universities and community colleges, Wellshare supports people from the communities we serve, to pursue a career in community health. We educate people on the role of chws and benefits of the work. Wellshare provides full scholarships for a 17- credit chw certification program, provides mentorship through practicums and internships, and long-term employment with Wellshare. We also invest in advancement of our chw staff into higher levels of community health work both in direct service provision, as well as promotions into program and organizational management career tracks.

International programming tanzania, bariadi district: 'survive and thrive groups- and 'together for health' projects our "together for health" program uses video technology on ipads to deliver health education messages through health workers (from hospital/clinics) and community health workers (who work at the village level) to improve health knowledge, access to care, and quality of services. Recognizing the importance of financial stability for achieving optimal health, our survive and thrive village community banking groups provide health education, small business skills training and technical support to implement a village community banking model. In 2023, 124,601 service contacts, 10 survive and thrive group participants and 199 vicoba participants receiving technical training in business development.