The Refugee Community Health Worker Initiative (RCHWI) in Rhode Island: A Pilot Program.

BACKGROUND: Refugee resettlement in the United States will reach record numbers in 2016. Approximately 200 refugees arrive in Rhode Island annually and require culturally and linguistically appropriate health care. METHODS: Eight community health care workers (CHWs) were hired for the Refugee Community Healthcare Worker Initiative (RCHWI) program. CHWs completed 30 hours of paid training. Health topic presentations were preceded by an initial knowledge assessment and an attitudes survey regarding the training. A final knowledge assessment and attitudes survey were administered after the presentations. DISCUSSION: The initial and final responses were compared. Scores improved from the preto post-presentations in both knowledge assessments and attitudes surveys. The results support the program’s effectiveness in training. This pilot collaborative effort emphasizes the potential benefits to further enhance the medical community for newly arrived refugees.