Quality Life Blueprint works closely with national, state and local agencies and community based organizations across the country to advance the profession of Community Health Workers (CHW) in Violence Prevention.

"A Community Health Worker (CHW) is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the worker to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. A community health worker also builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support and advocacy." - American Public Health Association, Community Health Workers. Published 2009.

The following links contain more information and examples of CHW in action.

• It's In My Veins: Exploring the Role of an Afrocentric, Popular Education-Based Training Program in the Empowerment of African American and African Community Health Workers in Oregon (PDF)
• Placemaking to Reduce Youth Violence
• "Silence the Violence" Youth Rally