Connecting with community in a public health emergency: a pilot project example for local public health and the communities they serve

Abstract Background The extensive infrastructure of community-based programs serving pregnant and postpartum women and their families could be engaged in a scalable and sustainable pandemic response. We sought to understand the key activities needed to equip providers to conduct in-home screening, facilitate vaccination, and assist and support families through the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We designed a module to guide Community Health Workers' (CHWs)' assessment of families' knowledge and concerns about COVID-19, provision of education on protective behaviors, recommendations, referrals, and follow-up. The module was delivered to 63 families from January to March 2021. Three action learning community sessions helped explore CHWs' experiences. Surveys and key informant interviews with CHWs, site leadership, and state public health leaders served to evaluate this strategy. Results Study participants considered the module helpful in guiding CHWs' conversations with families about COVID-19. CHWs stated that they could adapt to using the module to gauge the level of acceptance of public health messages within their communities, connect with families, convey real-time public health messages, and link families and communities to essential services. Conclusions We developed a viable module for rapidly engaging community-based agencies and CHWs in a public health emergency response that could be broadly translated and disseminated.