HB 3798, which would establish the Oklahoma Community Health Worker Act, unanimously passed the House Public Health Committee earlier this month. The bill would allow the State Department of Health to establish a certificate for community health workers, which would be voluntary. The bill text defines a community health worker as a frontline public health worker who has a shared understanding of and is a trusted member in the community being served.
A certified community health worker would be able to
1. Serve as a liaison between health and social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery;
2. Assist in identifying and communicating gaps in current community and health care resources; and
3. Build individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, coaching, mentoring, social support and advocacy.
McEntire represents District 50 which includes Stephens and Grady counties. He has authored or co-sponsored 34 bills this legislative session.