Community Health Worker Symposium Highlights Innovation, Workforce Growth, and Community Impact
Brewster, MA — March 13, 2026 — Cape Cod Community College, in partnership with the New England Rural Health Association through its Massachusetts Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network (MA RPHWTN), hosted a successful Community Health Worker (CHW) Symposium on March 13, 2026, at Ocean Edge Resort. Titled “Outside the Box, Inside the Community: Innovating Rural Health Care in Every Corner,” the daylong event convened 65 community health workers, employers, educators, and partners dedicated to strengthening healthcare access across rural communities.
The Symposium provided a dynamic space for learning, collaboration, and connection. Throughout the day, 21 employers representing a range of health and social service organizations hosted resource and networking stations, fostering meaningful engagement and partnership-building among attendees.
Programming highlighted the diverse and evolving role of CHWs through presentations such as “CHW Work in Unexpected Places” and “The Intersection Between Workers and Community Identities.” Christine Smith, Program Coordinator for the Marion Institute’s Southcoast Food Policy Council, delivered an engaging session titled “Food Justice: Building Healthy Resources,” underscoring the critical intersection of food access and community health.
A key highlight of the Symposium was the graduation ceremony recognizing 14 new graduates of Cape Cod Community College’s CHW certification program. The ceremony celebrated the continued growth of the CHW workforce and its vital role in advancing community-centered care.
The event also featured a keynote plenary address from Lissette Blondet, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Association of Community Health Workers. Blondet emphasized the essential role of CHWs in bridging gaps in care, building trust, and improving health outcomes in underserved communities.
The Symposium concluded with a hands-on Narcan training, equipping participants with practical tools to respond to the ongoing opioid crisis and support community safety.
This event, hosted as part of NERHA’s Massachusetts Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network, highlighted the growing importance of community-based healthcare models in rural settings. Community Health Workers continue to play a critical role as trusted professionals who deliver care directly within communities, advance health equity, and connect individuals to essential services.
About the Massachusetts Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network (MA RPHWTN):
The Massachusetts Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network (MA RPHWTN), led by the New England Rural Health Association, supports the development, training, and sustainability of the rural public health workforce across Massachusetts. Through partnerships with community-based organizations, educational institutions, and state and regional stakeholders, the Network works to expand access to training opportunities, strengthen workforce capacity, and improve health outcomes in rural communities.
For More Information:
Andy Lowe
Executive Director, New England Rural Health Association
andy@newenglandrha.org
802-324-9282
