Washington Association for Community Health
The Mission
The Washington Association for Community Health serves as a unifying force for community health centers, fostering collaboration and expanding access to high-quality healthcare across the state. By guiding these centers through state and federal policies, facilitating evidence-based care, and encouraging collective problem-solving, the association ensures their effectiveness. Their comprehensive range of services includes workforce development programs, technical assistance, training, and policy advocacy.
The Association’s Impact
Together, the association’s members deliver healthcare to over 1.1 million Washingtonians annually through more than 350 clinic sites. Directed by local stakeholders and committed to serving all individuals regardless of economic or insurance status, these centers play a vital role in the state’s healthcare safety net, catering to 35% of Medicaid/CHIP enrollees in 2021. Through the association’s support, member health centers receive the information, partnerships, and tools necessary to provide exceptional care to people across the state.
InReach Career Pathway’s Connection to Washington Association for Community Health
The Washington Association for Community Health’ s main mission will always be to support the Community Health Centers (CHCs) all around Washington that are on the frontlines helping its community members.
With there being a shortage of Medical Assistants and Dental Assistants in the CHCs, this impacted their reach. CHCs play a crucial role in providing services that community members need. This, in turn, created a need to figure out how to fill those invaluable positions. This resulted in the Washington Association for Community health founding the InReach Career Pathways program out of the necessity of increasing the workforce. Further reducing the barriers that prevent capable people from fulfilling those important roles.
With the support of Washington Association of Community Health, the InReach Career Pathways Program has been able to continuously and successfully address the workforce need.
Washington Association for Community Health Members
From Port Angeles to Walla Walla, the Association brings together our 28 member FQHCs to cultivate excellence in community health care across the state. These non-profit public entities serve medically underserved populations.
Community Health Center Qualities
- Community Based Non-Profit or Public Primary Care
- Located in or serving a medically underserved area or within a medically underserved population
- Provides a comprehensive scope of health services to people in all walks of life
- Provides services to individuals regardless of ability to pay
Interested in what the Washington Association for Community Health does and want to learn more?
101 Capitol Way N. Suite 200 Olympia, WA 98501 | 360.786.9722 | workforce@wacommunityhealth.org
We acknowledge that our offices in Olympia occupy the traditional village sites of the Steh-Chass People of the Squaxin Island Tribe.