Laura Bahena
Chicago CHW Local Network Coordinator
Laura Bahena is the Chicago Community Health Workers Local Network’s first full-time coordinator, having come to this position in the Fall of 2009 with over 15 years of experience as a community health worker (CHW). Ms. Bahena oversees the Network's materials, strategies, campaigns, services and networking opportunities -- based on the strengths and needs of its members. As Co-Investigator for the Chicago CHW/Promotor Survey and Mapping Project, she actively facilitates relationships between researchers and Network members. As Network Coordinator, and as a Network Steering Committee Member before that, Ms. Bahena has helped to shape the Network's vision, expand the membership base, and solidify multiple partnerships between the Network and community organizations throughout and beyond Illinois.
Prior to this position, Ms. Bahena worked as Site Coordinator for the Illinois Poison Center Satellite at Sinai Community Institute, training professionals and community members on poison prevention. In 2007, she received the AOK Early Childhood Network member of the year award for her commitment to connecting children and their families to health and social services. At Sinai Community Institute, she also served as Youth Ambassador Program Supervisor, supervising teens at Mt. Sinai Hospital. At Head Start before that, she held the role of Health and Disabilities Coordinator.
Ms. Bahena has been instrumental in the development of a Spanish curriculum-prep class for Latino Students entering CNA programs, and for the National Association of Education of Young Children (NAEYC), she provided the first Spanish-language Illinois Poison Prevention training for early childhood educators.
Ms. Bahena received her CHW Certificate from West Side Tech-College in 2005-2006. She holds a CNA Certificate and is an active American Red Cross CPR /First Aid Instructor-Provider. Nationally, Ms. Bahena serves as a CHW Section Counselor for the American Public Health Association, and as Co-Chair of the National Steering Committee for Promotores de Salud, established in 2011 by the U.S. DHHS Office of Minority Health as part of the Affordable Care Act.
