Implementing individual and community assessments

The process of implementing individual and community assessments includes recognizing the strengths, assets, needs, and challenges of a specified individual and/or community. While this chapter highlights two teams from different parts of the country, Hawai'i and Kansas City, Missouri, they both recount how community health workers (CHWs) participate in design, implementation, and interpretation of individual-level assessments and community-level assessments. The Hawai'i team shares multiple stories of CHWs' deep knowledge base of program requirements, utilization of multiple eligibility tools and forms, cultural humility, and communication skills to clearly connect and converse with individuals in a way that is helpful and eases anxiety when facing multiple needs and barriers. The Kansas City team with KC CARE Health Center describes how assessments are a key component to understanding clients and their circumstances. CHWs share their stories on listening to clients, and these stories demonstrate the positive impact informal assessment have on CHWs' relationship with their clients and how a supportive and sensitive partnership helps guide clients to success.