Get help navigating community services from a Community Health Worker
Ottawa Pathways to Better Health is a program designed to help people access community services to improve their health and decrease unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency department visits. Each Pathways participant is paired with a Community Health Worker (CHW) who will help identify individual needs and goals and serve as a link to health and social services.
There is no fee for qualifying individuals.
Who Qualifies?
- 18 years old (or older) or pregnant
- Lives in Ottawa County (including 49423 zip code)
- Has Medicare and/or Medicaid (enrolled or eligible)
- And has two or more chronic health conditions (such as diabetes, depression, anxiety, heart disease, arthritis, asthma, hypertension, or long-term pain)
What is a Community Health Worker (CHW)?
A Community Health Worker (CHW) is a trusted member of your community who understands your needs and will link you to health and social services. CHWs walk alongside clients to set goals and assist in achieving them. A CHW will:
- Meet with you at your convenience
- Help you set goals
- Guide you through the health care system
- Connect you to medical care for your specific needs (primary care doctor, dental, mental health, specialty, substance abuse treatment)
- Help you manage your health conditions and prescriptions
- Help you reduce hospital and emergency room visits
- Connect you to community services and resources (food, clothing, housing, financial and utility assistance, transportation, education, employment)
- And much more