4th Annual Community Health Worker Forum: Learn. Connect. Transform Communities
El Centro Hispano hosted the 4th Annual Community Health Worker Forum: Learn. Connect. Transform Communities, took place Saturday, August 29, 2026, at the Johnston Community College.
This forum was open to community health workers, employers, health professionals, and anyone interested in learning more about the vital role CHWs play in prevention, connecting communities to resources, and promoting the health and well-being of the communities they serve.
Launched in 2023, El Centro Hispano’s Community Health Worker Forum has become a vital gathering for individuals committed to preventive health and community well-being. The 2026 program featured expert-led workshops, keynote presentations, and interactive discussions covering topics such as mental health, self-care, and best practices.
“Community health workers are trusted leaders who help connect individuals and families with the information, resources, and services they need to live healthier lives,” said Pilar Rocha-Goldberg, President and CEO of El Centro Hispano. “Our fourth annual community health worker forum was an opportunity to recognize their essential work, strengthen their skills, and create meaningful connections that can lead to healthier and more inclusive communities.”
Featured workshops included:
The 2026 program offered a diverse range of workshops addressing current health and community needs, including:
- 101 Ways to Be Human — An interactive session focused on identity, empathy, compassion, and the many experiences that shape how individuals understand themselves and others.
- Not Everything We See Is True: Tools for Community Workers — Participants explored how misinformation affects community health decisions and learn practical tools for evaluating information before sharing it.
- Are Your Ducks in a Row? Advance Care Planning Tools You Can Use In your Communities — A hands-on session introduced advance care planning, health care proxies, living wills, and tools CHWs can use to help community members prepare for future health care decisions.
- Escuela PrEParatoria: HIV Prevention and PrEP for CHWs — A practical introduction to HIV prevention and PrEP, including strategies for connecting community members with prevention services and supporting engagement in care.
- How to Care for the Caregiver and the Heart: Emotional Well-Being and Mental Health When Facing Cancer — This workshop provided culturally responsive tools to support the emotional well-being of people living with cancer and their caregivers, including self-care, emotional regulation, empathy, resilience, and healthy boundaries.
- Storm Preparedness, Restoration & Electrical Safety — Community leaders and CHWs learned how to help their communities prepare for hurricanes and other severe weather, including evacuation planning, power outage safety, and access to emergency resources.
The forum also provided opportunities for participants to exchange resources, learn from experts and peers, and build connections that extend beyond the event, including six (6) Continued Education Hours credited toward requirements by the NC Association of Community Health Workers
