1. COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS AS ADVOCATES
WHY ADVOCACY? WHY ME?
COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS AS ADVOCATES
KYACHW CONFERENCE September 28, 2018
Sheila A. Schuster, Ph.D.

2. A Democracy requires that the VOICE of the PEOPLE be heard.

3. WHAT IS ADVOCACY? Advocacy is Education with Passion
An Advocate is One Who Listens
An Advocate is One Who Connects
An Advocate is One Who Speaks
An Advocate is One Who Acts
An Advocate is a Community Health Worker!

4. What do Kentuckians need to know?
Where do
I go? 
Where’s the ER?
How do I
stay well?
What’s an MCO?
What did my doctor say?

5. What is your health care target…for yourself. Your clients
What is your health care target…for yourself? Your clients? Your community? Your state?

6. YOUR voice is magnified in coalitions and working partnerships…
When we are all aiming for the same target!
When we work with each other in coalition.
When we speak
with one voice!

7. WHY ADVOCACY??

8. Advocacy Gets Action!
Advocacy can be at the individual or at the community, state or national level
First, have those you work with identify their unmet needs & look for trends
Lots of individuals with the same unmet needs = gaps in the health care system
Gaps in the health care system demand additional information, resources, services

9. If YOU don’t speak out… Who will speak?
Who understands the issues better than YOU do? Whose voice will be heard?

10. Why should that voice be YOURS?
Because YOU…
Are knowledgeable about the issues.
Care – and care passionately.
Know that stories are powerful.
Are able to listen and have others share what they know and have experienced.

11. Why should that voice be YOURS?
Because YOU…
Are willing to work…and work hard to see that your clients have what they need.
Are learning to be an effective advocate.
Provide accurate, timely information and resources.
Work with others toward the goal.

12. and because YOU can influence others to vote and to speak out!
YOU are an ADVOCATE because YOU VOTE and SPEAK OUT…
and because YOU can influence others to vote and to speak out!

13. How will YOUR voice be heard?
Register to VOTE (Oct. 9th) & VOTE (Nov. 6th)!
Be positive and polite, but always be persistent
Don’t hesitate to ask questions and keep asking
Remind yourself to say “Thank You!”
Reach out and educate others who can help – take your stories to KY Voices for Health
Create a network of people with the same goals and issues, everyone raising their voices
Believe that your voice & those of your clients can really make a difference…because they can!

14. Remember – YOUR Story Can be Told Wherever YOU Are!

15. Words to Remember…
“Never forget that a small group of thoughtful people can change the world. Indeed, that’s all that ever has.” Margaret Mead