Lunch & Learns

Joining a Lunch & Learn is a great way to stay up to date and connected on how Community Health Workers (CHWs) can be empowered to provide care in their communities. Registration is required for all Lunch & Learns. Register for the sessions that you would like to attend using the links below. You will receive the Zoom link upon registration. You can earn a certificate for one hour of attendance by attending a Lunch & Learn and completing the post-Lunch & Learn evaluation.

Other Events and Trainings:

October 22, 2026: The Immunize Illinois Coalition and the American Lung Association are hosting a webinar titled “American Lung Association Initiatives." Join to learn about a new lung health initiative developed in partnership with the Illinois Department of Public Health that aims to improve access to lung health education, resources, and vaccinations for residents living in multi-unit housing communities.

ILCHWA Chicago Summit

Join the Illinois Community Health Workers Association (ILCHWA) for their 2026 Annual Chicago Summit on October 16, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM CT. CHWs, employers, and others are invited for a day of networking, information sharing, knowledge, and ending with a social gathering. Bring your dancing shoes!

This year, sessions will cover:

• CHW Certification and Reimbursement update
• Men’s Health Session
• Preservation of CHWs in the AI space... and more
• Network with CHWs, Employers, Allies, and
• Vendors

Click here to learn more and register.

CHW Cancer 101 Program

The Illinois Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA) and the Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA) are excited to announce the launch of the Community Health Worker Cancer 101 program. This asynchronous program will provide Community Health Workers (CHWs) with education specific to cancer prevention, screening, treatment, survivorship, and resources available. Once a CHW has completed the self-paced virtual learning sessions, they will complete a community outreach project of their choosing. Projects may include setting up a cancer outreach table, updating cancer brochures to assess health literacy, creating a cancer focused social media campaign, developing a new cancer resource for their organization to use, etc. Pictures or copies of what was created will be submitted to IPHA. Upon review, the CHW will receive a certificate of completion.

This training was supported by grant funding from The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of CHWWorkforce Grant. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. Funding for select sessions was provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Screening and Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer

October 7, 2026, 5:00 – 6:00 PM: Join Dr. Michael Kharouta and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Chicago for an informative discussion on the latest approaches to prostate cancer screening and diagnosis. Learn about risk factors, screening recommendations, diagnostic testing, and the importance of early detection, followed by an opportunity to ask questions and engage in an open Q&A session.

October 27, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM CT: Join Triage Health for their Community Health Woker Training, “Insurance and Finances 101.” This free training is for CHW, patient navigators, promotores, and other frontline and public health workers. This training provides an introduction to choosing and using health insurance, workplace rights to take time off to access health care, disability insurance, and strategies for managing medical bills.

Illinois Poison Center's Annual Education Referral Campaign

The Illinois Poison Center (IPC) is a nonprofit health service that provides the people of Illinois with comprehensive and trusted information and treatment advice on potentially harmful substances via a free, confidential 24-hour helpline at 1-800-222-1222, staffed by specially trained physicians, nurses, and pharmacists. This is also a helpline to call and ask questions about anything potentially harmful in your home, workplace, and community regarding medications, plants, cleaning materials, etc. It does not have to be an urgent matter to call this number.

That said, poison prevention education is key! Now is the perfect time to take and share the IPC’s free, quick, and easy online Poison Prevention Education Course with individuals who work and/or live in Illinois and are 13 years or older. Anyone who completes the free online course and/or refers others who complete the course before October 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM CT will be eligible to win a $250 Amazon gift card. The gift cards will be awarded in early November. Click here to learn more about the Education Referral Campaign.

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, a time to bring awareness to the most common non-skin cancer diagnosed in men and the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in men, after lung cancer. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland in the male reproductive system that produces fluid that makes up part of semen. Prostate cancer often has no early symptoms, but because of effective screening options, the disease is often caught before it spreads, and survival rates are relatively good for this type of cancer.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) recently launched a statewide survey and hosted a series of listening sessions, Building Healthier Communities for Men. IPHA participated in the Springfield session, which provided an important opportunity to discuss the unique health challenges men face, including barriers within the health care system and issues related to family and fatherhood.

IPHA has been a strong advocate for recognizing and addressing the health needs of men and boys in Illinois and supported efforts to establish the Office of Men’s Health at IDPH. Mental health, cancer, heart disease and stroke, cardiovascular risk factors, diabetes, liver disease, and fatherhood are among the key areas that warrant greater attention as part of a comprehensive approach to men’s health. We recently met with Andrew Lerch, Men’s Health Section Chief at IDPH, to share information on HealthPrism and the predictive analytics data available through the tool that can inform efforts for men’s health programming.

Looking ahead, IPHA will continue to advocate for increased resources and funding to raise awareness and strengthen efforts to address the health issues affecting men across Illinois. This will include pursuing legislative opportunities during the next session of the Illinois General Assembly to secure additional funding for the Office of Men’s Health and strengthen its capacity to advance men’s health statewide.

Tom Hughes, IPHA Executive Director, also serves as a member of the American Public Health Association (APHA) Men’s Health Caucus, further connecting IPHA to national conversations and initiatives focused on improving men’s health. Continue reading below to learn more from some of our partners providing cancer-related education and training for CHWs.

IDPH Men’s Health Section and Comprehensive Cancer Control

The Illinois Department of Public Health’s (IDPH) mission is to advocate for and partner with the people of Illinois to re-envision health policy and promote health equity, prevent and protect against disease and injury, and prepare for health emergencies. IDPH is supporting Community Health Workers by amplifying and elevating the importance of developing trusted health professionals—the CHW workforce—and strengthening the connections between the public health and health care sectors and the communities they serve. IDPH is encouraging the use of CHWs within community outreach and programming models, partnering with statewide CHW associations and efforts to promote men’s health and prostate cancer awareness, and engaging CHWs in IDPH program strategic planning.

IDPH’s Comprehensive Cancer Control and Men’s Health programs work together to promote prostate cancer awareness efforts during September, as well as throughout the year. The Comprehensive Cancer Program coordinates the Illinois Cancer Partnership, which helps connect professional and public stakeholders in areas of prevention, screening and early detection, and survivorship. Men’s Health continues to grow a focused network of stakeholders involved in prostate cancer awareness initiatives. IDPH currently manages a Prostate Cancer Outreach and Screening program, as well as recently overseeing a Prostate Cancer Research Support program. They have public and professional educational materials available, such as:

• Resource and fact sheets and monthly awareness reports such as the Prostate Cancer Awareness Report that was released in September
• Continuing Education Webinars including the professional education series and prostate cancer awareness
• Sharing of the Prostate Cancer Awareness Month Proclamation, screening guidelines, and men’s health awareness on social media

To learn more, visit their webpages below:

• IDPH Men’s Health       
• Comprehensive Cancer Control            
• Recording of IDPH webinar on prostate cance

Triage Cancer and Triage Health

Triage Cancer is a national, nonprofit organization that provides free education on the legal and practical issues that may impact individuals diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers, through events, materials, and resources. Triage Health, a program of Triage Cancer, provides free education to individuals living with a chronic or serious medical condition.

Community Health Workers are vital members of the communities they serve, often acting as a bridge between individuals and the health care system, especially in underserved areas where access to care may be limited.

To support CHWs in this role, Triage Health is providing a free online community health worker training on October 27, 2026. This 4.5-hour virtual training is open to CHWs, promotores, patient navigators, and other frontline public health workers who want to build skills and better serve their communities. The aim of providing this free training is to strengthen the support systems already in place and help CHWs navigate today’s ever-changing health care, insurance, and legal landscapes. It is designed to give participants practical tools to help people manage their health and financial well-being. Key topics include:

• Tips for choosing and using health insurance
• Taking time off to access health care
• Accessing disability insurance
• Strategies to help people manage medical bills

Whether you’re just starting as a CHW or have years of experience, this training will help you stay informed, confident, and better prepared to support your community. Triage Health consistently hears from participants about how they are able to use what they learn in their work and communities. As one participant shared, “You will leave this training feeling confident talking about the topics that were covered today. You will be able to share the information with your peers and clients.”

To learn more, visit their webpages below:

• Triage Cancer  
• Triage Health   
• CHW Training Registration

Wellness House

Wellness House is a nonprofit headquartered in Hinsdale, a western suburb of Chicago, providing free programs and services to support individuals and families impacted by cancer. Through exercise, nutrition, stress management, support groups and counseling, information and education, child and family programs, salon and boutique services, and other specialized support for people with cancer and those who care for them, Wellness House helps people navigate the physical, emotional, social, and practical challenges of cancer. Their evidence-based programs are available at no cost and support people from diagnosis through treatment, survivorship, and beyond. In addition to in-person programming, Wellness House offers a wide range of virtual programs, making support accessible to individuals and families throughout the state of Illinois, regardless of where they live.

As part of their community impact work, Wellness House recognizes the vital role Community Health Workers and other community-based professionals play as trusted messengers, educators, advocates, and connectors within their communities. They are working to strengthen relationships with CHWs across Illinois by providing education about cancer support resources, sharing practical referral information, and identifying opportunities for continued professional education around cancer-related topics. Their goal is to build stronger relationships with CHWs, increase awareness of the free cancer support resources available through Wellness House, and ensure CHWs have the information and tools needed to confidently connect individuals and families to supportive services throughout the cancer experience.

Through Wellness House’s growing partnership with the Illinois Public Health Association and other community organizations, they are working to make it easier for CHWs to identify trusted resources for individuals affected by cancer and confidently connect community members to free support. CHWs are also invited to participate in Wellness House’s monthly Professional Perk virtual series, which provides healthcare and community-based professionals with an opportunity to learn more about Wellness House, the programs and services, and the role psychosocial support can play throughout the cancer experience. Participants can earn one continuing education (CEU) credit for attending. They continue to explore opportunities to provide cancer-focused education for healthcare professionals on prostate cancer and other topics where greater understanding and stronger connections to resources can help address gaps in care.

In recognition of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Wellness House highlighted resources and educational opportunities available to men impacted by prostate cancer and their families. This September, Wellness House hosted two Hot Topics in Prostate Cancer events featuring leading Chicagoland specialists. Attendees heard about advances in medical, surgical, and radiation oncology, as well as emerging treatments and clinical research for advanced-stage disease. Additional sessions addressed nutrition and sexual health during and after treatment, with time for participants and loved ones to ask questions directly of the experts.

The first event took place at the Arturo Velasquez Institute on Tuesday, September 15, bringing prostate cancer education and resources directly into the community. A second event was held at Wellness House in Hinsdale on Saturday, September 19. These events complement Wellness House’s year-round programs designed to support individuals and families throughout the cancer experience.

By connecting CHWs with reliable cancer information and free community-based resources, Wellness House can help expand the network of support available to the individuals and families they serve. CHWs do not need to be cancer experts to make an important difference. Knowing where to turn for trusted information, psychosocial support, nutrition and exercise programs, support groups, and other resources can help them guide community members toward services that complement their clinical cancer care. Wellness House also hopes to learn directly from CHWs about the barriers and needs they see in their communities. The insight of CHWs will help shape future education and guide how they reach and work with the populations served. This two-way relationship can help strengthen connections between healthcare, community organizations, and the trusted individuals working within communities across Illinois.

To learn more, visit their webpages below:

• Wellness House             
• Prostate Cancer Programs       

With further questions, email Dustin Wilson, Director of Community Impact, at dwilson@wellnesshouse.org.

Congratulations to IPHA’s 2026 CHW Conference Award Winners!

See photos of each award winner and quotes from their nomination below.

CHW of the Year: Laquinta Barnett, OSF Healthcare

"Since starting as the CHW for the OSF HealthCare Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Comprehensive Lifespan Clinic, Quin has been building bridges, redefining the scope of her role, connecting families with resources, and helping many families navigate the changing Medicaid redetermination process, ensuring their health insurance coverage. As the clinic's main contact, she works closely with the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois on advocacy and community efforts, sits on the SDoH committee for OSF Healthcare CHOI, and has been instrumental in building the IDPH-funded Community Network Anchor program by leveraging her established partnerships with many Central Illinois CBOs. Above all, Quin practices humility in her approach to her patients, quickly establishing rapport with patients and families, and consistently goes above and beyond her call, finding new ways to support patients without being prompted."

CHW Supervisor of the Year: Leslie McKnight, Peoria City County Health Department

"Dr. Leslie McKnight is highly deserving of the CHW Supervisor Award due to her outstanding leadership, commitment to health equity, and unwavering support of Community Health Workers serving diverse populations throughout the Tri-County (Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford Counties). During the COVID-19 emergency response, she managed a team of three CHWs delivering food, medications, and essential supplies to quarantined households, and she actively advances the CHW profession at the local and state levels, serving on the Illinois Community Health Workers Association Workforce Development Committee and collaborating with the Illinois Public Health Association leadership to develop a framework for CHW Medicaid reimbursement. Through her mentorship, advocacy, and strategic leadership, she empowers CHWs to serve as trusted community partners, fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, and innovation, and helps bring ideas to life by connecting staff with resources and community partners to address local needs."

CHW Educator of the Year: Michelle Sanders, Illinois Primary Health Care Association

"Michelle founded and established the CHW program at Heartland Health Services, authored and developed CHW curriculum for the Illinois Public Health Association and Carl Sandburg College, and served as a CHW trainer and Master Trainer, educating and mentoring future Community Health Workers. She has secured and managed grant funding that supports CHW initiatives, and is also a frequent presenter and thought leader, sharing knowledge at conferences and professional forums to elevate the role of CHWs within the broader public health system. Widely recognized for her ability to mentor and empower CHWs, she leads with intention, compassion, and a deep commitment to community impact, treating people with care and compassion in an unbiased manner and demonstrating how to create safe spaces for people to feel comfortable when they share their needs."

CHW Employer of the Year: Chestnut Health Systems, represented by Karen Sours

"Chestnut Health Systems has demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation, and commitment to strengthening the CHW workforce and advancing health equity across Illinois, actively participating in state-related initiatives focused on the development of the CHW certification program and reimbursement models. The organization has also demonstrated exceptional collaboration with local partners by co-locating CHWs at community sites that provide supportive services to targeted populations, including Home Sweet Home Ministries and Salvation Army homeless shelters, Baby Fold, Mid Central Community Action, Community Health Care Clinic, Immigration Project, food pantries and other community-based organizations. Chestnut Health Systems provides strong clinical oversight through Licensed Clinical Supervisors, and CHWs are fully embedded within multidisciplinary care teams, contributing their expertise to improve client outcomes and ensuring that social determinants of health are addressed alongside clinical needs."

Have a safe month,

Tracey Smith, Associate Executive Director for Public Health Practice at IPHA, Director of the CHW Capacity Building Center and Claire Hughes, IPHA Program Manager.

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter. 

We strive to keep CHWs, their employers, educators, and allies informed and connected. If you would like to contribute information for a future newsletter, please contact Mariah Menietti at mmenietti@ipha.com. We look forward to showcasing ways in which CHWs are making an impact in Illinois.