ROCKPORT and BELFAST — Sometimes the biggest barrier to taking care of your health is knowing how to begin. Thanks to a new Community Health initiative at two local hospitals, figuring that out has become a little easier for those who might not otherwise seek out health care for a myriad of reasons.

Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County General Hospital launched their Community Health Worker (CHW) program in August. CHWs are able to travel out into the community to meet with participants and is designed to help community members who have historically faced barriers to accessing health care, such as lack of transportation or insurance, or discomfort with navigating the medical system.

“By going out and meeting patients where they are at, we are able to care for our community members in a new way. It’s an important step in fulfilling our vision of making our communities the healthiest in America,” said Jemma Penberthy, director of Community Health for PBMC and WCGH, in a news release.

The program seeks to connect patients with existing resources and services to help them manage their health.

“There are so many wonderful community partners who offer programs and resources that can help with social determinants of health like transportation, insurance, food insecurity,” said Penberthy. “The goal is for the community health workers to amplify the resources that already exist and help break down barriers to accessing them.”

The CHW program, which is provided at no cost to patients, allows CHWs to work with patients for a period of three months. They work together to set health goals and overcome challenges, from navigating a new medical diagnosis or identifying sustainable transportation options to applying for SNAP benefits or learning to cook meals at home.

In addition to finding available resources, CHWs can help fill out applications or make phone calls on their patients’ behalf, tasks that frequently become barriers to obtaining necessary care.

“There are folks in the community who haven’t always caught a break,” said Frances Butler, CHW for Waldo County. “Poverty can lead to poor health, and poor health can lead to pain, depression, anxiety, isolation… if I can make a connection and help figure out how to take even one of those things away, then I’ve helped.”

The CHW program is open to patients 18+ who live in Knox or Waldo counties. Patients are referred to through providers and community partners, including food pantries and soup kitchens, schools, shelters and CAP agencies. Community members can also reach out to the program directly using Mainehealth.findhelp.com.

The hospitals are looking to hire four additional CHWs – two for Knox County and two for Waldo County – to help meet the needs of their communities. For more information about the position, or to apply, click here.

About Pen Bay Medical Center

Pen Bay Medical Center is part of MaineHealth, a not-for-profit integrated health system consisting of eight local hospital systems, a comprehensive behavioral healthcare network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and more than 1,600 employed and independent physicians working together through an Accountable Care Organization. With more than 19,000 employees, MaineHealth is the largest health system in northern New England and provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. For more information, please visit pbmc.org.

Waldo County General Hospital

Waldo County General Hospital is part of MaineHealth, a not-for-profit integrated health system consisting of eight local hospital systems, a comprehensive behavioral healthcare network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and more than 1,600 employed and independent physicians working together through an Accountable Care Organization. With more than 19,000 employees, MaineHealth is the largest health system in northern New England and provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. For more information, please visit wcgh.org.