A Model of Community Health Worker Integration into Schools: Community-based Participatory Research in Action

Abstract: Background: Schools are rich sites for collaborations between health and educational sectors. Objectives: To identify lessons learned from formation of a community–academic partnership and application of community-based participatory research (CBPR) to develop a model that integrates community health workers into schools. Methods: Individuals from an academic medical center, a large public school district, and a community-based research institute applied CBPR principles to reimagine schools as a place for improving the health of children. Lessons Learned: Three lessons emerged. Leveraging each team member's expertise centered the partnership on community strengths, co-learning, and stakeholder engagement. Adherence to CBPR's principles of power sharing and equity helped navigate the challenges of collaboration between large institutions. Early focus on sustainability helped address unexpected issues, build capacity, and boost advocacy. Conclusions: This partnership demonstrates how CBPR fosters conditions in which equitable partnerships between research institutions and public schools can thrive to promote childhood health.