Summit 2025 Recap: Safe, Strong and Supported - Empowering CHWs
What an incredible day! On October 15th, approximately 300 community health workers, allies, and partners gathered at Delaware State University’s MLK Student Center for our fifth annual Community Health Workers Summit, an inspiring day of learning, connection, and celebration. The energy, dedication, and connection in that room reminded us all why this work is so important to our communities.
A Day Focused on YOU
This year’s theme, “Safe, Strong and Supported: Empowering CHWs,” centered on a critical truth: we can’t pour from an empty cup. As CHWs serving Delaware’s most vulnerable communities, we need to prioritize our own safety and well-being too.
From the moment registration opened at 8:30 AM with our networking breakfast, the day was packed with powerful sessions, meaningful connections, and moments of celebration.
Morning Keynote: Safety as Leadership
After opening remarks from Representative Kamela Smith and a fun CHW Challenge led by Delsy Morales, we heard from our keynote speaker Randi Woods, Chief Executive Officer of STAR Community Health Solutions in Baltimore. Randi delivered a transformative address on “Safety as Leadership: Reframing Protection as a Collective Responsibility” that set the tone for the entire day.
As Jacqueline Ortiz from ChristianaCare shared: “The energy in that room was incredible. To see 300 dedicated professionals come together to learn, share, and support one another reminds us why this work matters so much. Community Health Workers are the bridge between healthcare systems and the communities that need them most, and events like this strengthen that bridge.”
Throughout the day, we dove deep into topics that matter to our daily work:
You Matter Too: Staying Safe While Helping Others – Ama Amponsah and Courtney Winkler from the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence reminded us that protecting ourselves is essential to protecting others.
Beyond Bubble Baths: Trauma-Informed Support in the Workplace – Toni Jordan from NorthNode Group Counseling challenged us to think bigger about what real workplace support looks like.
Protecting Our Purpose: Communication & Boundaries for CHWs – Erin Caple from Envision/CCHA gave us practical tools for maintaining healthy boundaries while staying connected to our communities.
Centering Safety and Care: Lessons from CHWs – Our incredible panel featuring Tisha Jackson (CHILD, Inc.), Mishai Pendleton (EVOLV), Angel Mendez (Impact Life Today), Indi Islam (AIDS DE), and Brentdy Chavez (Children & Families First) shared real stories and wisdom from the field that resonated with everyone in the room.
View the complete Summit program here.
Celebrating Major Wins for Delaware’s CHWs
Legislative Victory!
We celebrated the passage of Senate Joint Resolution 2, which paves the way for sustainable Medicaid reimbursement for CHWs in Delaware! Both co-sponsors, Representative Kamela Smith and Senator Marie Pinkney, joined us to mark this historic achievement.
“This bill represents a major step forward in recognizing CHWs as essential members of Delaware’s health workforce,” said Erin Ridout, CHWAD Advocacy Committee Chair. “Twenty-four states already reimburse CHWs through Medicaid. It’s time for Delaware to be the 25th.”
Certification Program Launch
We announced the secured funding for Delaware’s voluntary CHW certification program. Thanks to ChristianaCare and the Delaware Health Force, application fees will be covered for CHWs for at least two years. The Division of Public Health provided additional support for a CHW awareness campaign and supplemental application fees.
Plus, Delaware State University unveiled its new Community Health Worker certificate training program, designed to provide CHWs with core competency skills and prepare them for certification.
Honoring Our 2025 CHW Champion: Tierea Chisholm
A highlight of our afternoon was presenting the 2025 CHW Champion Award to Tierea Chisholm, Community Engagement Specialist with NeighborGood Partners.
From CNA to Community Champion
Tierea’s CHW journey started at the Delaware Veterans Home, where she worked as a CNA and discovered her passion for helping others. But she didn’t stop there, she brought that same heart to her hometown of Dover.
A Community Builder at Heart
For years, Tierea organized community clean-up days in Dover’s New St. area ALL ON HER OWN—starting with just her family and friends! Her dedication eventually inspired community organizations to join her mission. That’s the power of one person who truly cares!
Changing Lives, One Child at a Time
This year, Tierea’s greatest impact has been through her work with youth. She’s watched shy, hesitant students transform into excited participants who couldn’t wait to see what each new day would bring at her summer camp programs. Parents have seen the difference too—so much so that many now volunteer alongside her!
A Trusted Voice in the Community
Tierea works behind the scenes, but her impact is front and center. She’s built incredible trust by being a consistent presence—someone the community knows they can turn to for help, resources, and hope. She’s a strong advocate for those who feel they don’t have a voice and proves every day that change IS possible.
Tierea, thank you for being an inspiration and showing us what it truly means to be a Community Health Worker. Your community is so lucky to have you!
Connecting with Resources
Exhibitor BINGO Was a Hit!
Twenty-eight amazing organizations participated as exhibitors, and our Exhibitor BINGO activity had
attendees engaging directly with each one to learn about resources available to benefit the communities we serve.
Thank you to all our exhibitors:
- American Red Cross National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region
- AmeriHealth Caritas Delaware
- CCHA/Envision
- CHW Association of Delaware
- CHILD, Inc.
- ChristianaCare
- DE First Health
- Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition
- Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Delaware Council on Gambling Problems, Inc.
- Delaware NeuroRehab
- Delaware Quitline
- Delaware State University
- Explore the Magic of Motion LLC
- Freedom Center for Independent Living, Inc.
- Friendship House
- Health Literacy Council of Delaware
- Helen F Graham Cancer Center (x 2!)
- Limen Recovery Wellness
- NeighborGood Partners
- Nemours Children’s Health
- NorthNode Group Counseling
- Public Health Management Corporation
- Sussex County Health Coalition
- T-Mobile for Government
- Tapp Network
- YWCA of Delaware
We can’t wait to see you all again at next year’s summit!
Resources shared from the Summit are available on our website Resource Section and on CHECK
Staying Connected Through CHECK
Throughout the day, participants used the CHECK (Community Health Education, Connection, & Knowledge) App to share insights and photos. If you haven’t joined yet, click here to explore CHECK, including ongoing training, resources and Discussion Board access.
A Huge Thank You to Our Sponsors
This summit wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors:
Venue Sponsor: Delaware State University
Breakfast Sponsor: ChristianaCare
Lunch Sponsor: DE First Health
Blue Hen Builder: Tapp Network
Diamond State Supporters: Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Delaware Academy of Medicine/DPHA/DE Health Force, Sussex County Health Coalition, Tidal Health, Delaware Quitline, and the Delaware Healthcare Association
First State Friend: Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition
Your investment in Delaware’s CHW workforce makes all the difference!
Our Summit in the Media
Share Your Summit Experience!
Let’s See Your Photos
Did you capture great moments from the summit? Share your photos with us here so we can celebrate this amazing day together! Email them to CHWAdelaware@gmail.com
Help Shape Next Year’s Summit
Your voice matters! Send us your ideas for topics and speaker recommendations for next year’s summit and for training throughout the year here.
Don’t forget to share your highlights on social media and tag us:
Keep the Momentum Going!
The energy and inspiration from this summit can’t stop here. Let’s carry it forward into our communities and into the CHWA community!
Join Us at Upcoming Events
If the monthly Roundtable meeting, monthly Professional Development training and your Committee Meetings aren’t in your calendar, please email us at hello@chwadelaware.org to let us know and we’ll get you added!
Not a CHWA Member Yet? Join here
Want to know more about CHW Ambassadors? Click here
Together, we’re building a stronger, more supported CHW workforce in Delaware. Thank you to everyone who made Summit 2025 such an incredible success. Here’s to staying safe, strong, and supported—today and every day!
