St. Louis Integrated Health Network (IHN)

Community Pulse: August 2025 Newsletter

Monthly Newsletter

Welcome to our digital newsletter! Your source for updates on health equity initiatives, community partnerships, and IHN programs, it’s your go-to source for collaboration, innovation, and impact in the St. Louis region & beyond. Let’s build healthier communities together.

NATIONAL COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER (CHW) AWARENESS WEEK


This summer brought big news for Community Health Workers (CHWs). On July 23, Congressman Raul Ruiz and Senator Ron Wyden introduced a Congressional Resolution to officially declare August 25–29, 2025, as National CHW Awareness Week.

CHWs are the trusted bridge between communities and healthcare systems. They advocate, educate, and stand with families to promote health equity every day. Since 2023, the National Association of Community Health Workers (NACHW) has led this week of awareness to highlight the voices and leadership of CHWs nationwide.

To help shine a light on this important work, our partners at the St. Louis CHW Coalition created a series of videos that explain who CHWs are, why their work is crucial, and how organizations can support them. These videos are powerful tools for building understanding, awareness, and appreciation for the CHW workforce.

So, who is a CHW? During National CHW Awareness Week, we celebrate the compassion, resilience, and leadership of those who walk alongside families and communities. CHWs serve as connectors and advocates, working tirelessly to improve health outcomes, reduce barriers to care, and empower communities to thrive.

Watch the video: https://bit.ly/45S1yDl

This week also invites us to think about sustainability. True CHW sustainability is about more than funding—it means creating long-term career pathways, ensuring policies protect and value CHWs, and strengthening communities by investing in those who serve on the frontlines of health equity. Through our CHW Workforce Initiative, we are committed to building a future where CHWs can thrive, not just survive.

Watch the video: https://bit.ly/4oXef8E

The path forward is clear: invest in CHWs, provide training opportunities, and empower them to lead. That’s why we are proud to announce the launch of the CHW Academy, a new platform designed to equip CHWs with the skills, tools, and leadership development they need to flourish. Our first training series will launch soon, providing resources to strengthen organizations while uplifting the CHW workforce.

Watch the video: https://bit.ly/4nkpKp5

This National CHW Awareness Week, let’s celebrate the compassion, resilience, and leadership of CHWs—and commit to ensuring they have the recognition and support they deserve.

CELEBRATING NATIONAL HEALTH CENTER WEEK: POWERING COMMUNITIES THROUGH CARING CONNECTIONS

This year’s National Health Center Week theme, “Powering Communities Through Caring Connections,” highlighted the vital relationships Health Centers build with the people they serve every day.

Here in St. Louis, our partners—Affinia Healthcare, CareSTL Health, Family Care Health Centers, Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers, and the St. Louis County Department of Public Health—are at the heart of that mission. Together, they provide accessible, high-quality care to thousands across our region.

Although the week of celebration has passed, the work continues. Each Health Center is carrying forward that spirit by uplifting staff, engaging patients, and strengthening community connections throughout the year. From staff appreciation to back-to-school drives and ongoing outreach, their efforts reflect the caring spirit that powers our communities forward.

➡️ Want to support or learn more? Visit their websites and social media pages to see what they’re doing year-round and explore ways to get involved:

Affinia Healthcare
Website: www.affiniahealthcare.org
Facebook: Affinia Healthcare
Instagram: @affinia_healthcare

CareSTL Health
Website: www.carestlhealth.org
Facebook: CareSTL Health
Instagram: @carestlhealth_

Family Care Health Centers
Website: www.familycarehealthcenters.org
Facebook: Family Care Health Centers
Instagram: @fchcstl

Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers
Website: phcenters.org
Facebook: Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers
Instagram: @bjkpeopleshealthcenters

St. Louis County Department of Public Health
Website: stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-departments/public-health/locations
Facebook: Saint Louis County Department of Public Health
Instagram: @stlcountydoh

Together, these organizations remind us that when we care for each other, we strengthen the entire community..

CELEBRATING THE HEART AND POWER OF COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS – UNITY CONFERENCE DEBRIEF

By Atara Estes, Senior Community Health Worker (CHW) Strategist
National Association of Community Health Worker’s Unity Conference 2025. Photo credit: Ricardo Garay.

The Unity Conference was nothing short of extraordinary—a living testament to the vision, passion, and relentless dedication that Community Health Workers bring to our communities and to the mission of National Association of Community Health Workers (NACHW).

CHWs are the bridge, the voice, and the heartbeat of the communities we serve. We don’t just connect people to resources; we stand in the gap, advocate for equity, and walk alongside individuals through their most challenging and transformative moments. This work is sacred, impactful, and essential—and Unity proved that when we come together, our voices are amplified and our impact is unstoppable.

As the Board of Directors Representative for Missouri, I am honored to serve as your advocate, ensuring that your stories, struggles, and successes are not just heard but acted upon. We are also proud to welcome our new Missouri Ambassador, Kevin Harris, who will join me in championing the needs of CHWs across the state. Together, we are here for YOU—the CHWs—and for the communities whose trust and wellbeing we safeguard every day.

Unity filled me with renewed confidence in what we can accomplish together. Your energy, engagement, and unwavering advocacy elevated every conversation, reinforced the strength of our network, and reminded us that we are stronger when we stand as one.

If you have advocacy updates, spotlight stories, or victories to share, send them our way. We want to raise your voice, share your journey, and ensure your work is recognized on the state and national stage.

Thank you for your encouragement, trust, and partnership. I look forward to building on this momentum with each of you—continuing to lead, serve, and fight for a healthier, more equitable future for all.

Together, we are NACHW. Together, we are the change.


ATARA ESTES

Atara Estes has been a trailblazer in the Community Health Worker (CHW) movement in St. Louis and beyond. As one of the first CHWs trained in the region, she was a founding member of the Board of Leaders that created the St. Louis CHW Coalition.

For more than five years, Atara served with the RE-LINK team, providing direct support to individuals navigating health and social services. She later shifted her focus to strengthening and advancing the CHW workforce, serving as IHN’s first CHW Leadership and Development Specialist and now as Senior CHW Strategist.

Her leadership extends far beyond St. Louis—Atara has been elected to multiple positions within state and national CHW associations and currently serves on the Board of Directors for National Association of Community Health Workers (NACHW).

Tommy English, IHN’s Assistant Vice President of Evaluation, Quality, and Learning, shares: “Atara is a true champion for the CHW workforce and for the St. Louis community. Whether she is working to support her family, providing resources to the community, mentoring a new CHW, or advocating for the CHW workforce, she shows up with power and compassion. It is a joy to work with Atara and get to be a part of her work.”

Atara’s journey highlights the heart of IHN’s mission—building equity, leadership, and community through the power of CHWs.

BACK TO SCHOOL: CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATIONS

By Bill Winfrey, Vice President of Policy & Strategic Initiatives

At the St. Louis Integrated Health Network (IHN), we are celebrating the end of summer and the return of children to school. We are supporting our own children and families, as well as the families we serve in community, in preparing for this annual celebration. We recently coordinated partners to offer health services at the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis’ Urban Expo Health & Home Experience, where they provided free physicals and immunizations to children in preparation for the school year, among other services.

It’s fitting that these activities take place in August, which is National Immunization Awareness Month.

As part of our broader health improvement efforts, IHN has engaged partners to better understand the landscape of immunization status for St. Louis area students over the past year and continues to elevate the issue.

During the summer of 2024, St. Louis City Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and public school leaders raised concerns about the vaccination rates of students in advance of the 2024-2025 school year. As a result, the IHN led a coordinated effort with stakeholders from the FQHCs, public health departments, hospital systems, school districts, and other health-focused nonprofits to assess the state of childhood immunization rates in the region.

Through this work, we found that according to Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) data, St. Louis-area vaccination rates for kindergarten-age children trail similar rates for children in Kansas City and Missouri by 10-15%. This gap closes by the time students reach eighth grade, but it is very concerning for our youngest scholars in the region.

To continue to elevate the issue and explore opportunities to close these gaps, the IHN has:

  • Convened state-level workgroups with stakeholders focused on this issue to align on messaging, share data, and engage in events like the Urban League’s recent event;
  • Developed concepts to increase immunization rates and explored federal and alternative funding sources to directly engage with schools and healthcare providers to deliver immunizations; and · Elevated the issue in the public forum through a letter to the editor of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, among other things.

We are encouraged by conversations with others in the St. Louis area focused on this important issue, and we will continue seeking out opportunities to more systematically address these issues so that with each successive August, we have more to celebrate during National Immunization Awareness Month.

By the end of the day, the atmosphere was electric. Attendees left feeling inspired, recharged, and ready to continue the work of advancing equity in Black maternal health. Together, we created a space for healing, storytelling, and collective action. Let’s continue building a future where Black birthing people are respected, supported, and celebrated.

We’re already looking forward to next year’s conference—and to gathering again in joy, love, and purpose.

RACIAL EQUITY SUMMIT

By Kevin Poe, Executive Director of the Home Repair Network
Photo courtesy of Renaissance TJS Photography


The St. Louis Racial Equity Summit opened on Friday, August 8th with a keynote address from Prentis Hemphill (they/them), a political organizer, former Healing Justice Director at Black Lives Matter Global Network, and author of What It Takes to Heal. The two-day summit (Friday–Saturday) featured dual tracks of programming, a vendor hall, and multiple sessions and panels. I had the honor of serving as a Community Advisor Committee Member for the summit and attending both days. Prentis’s message was both soothing and inspirational, and at times it felt like they were speaking directly from the pages of a Brené Brown book, with whom they have partnered professionally.

The highlight of my attendance was a Saturday session titled “The Most Northern State of the South: Building a Statewide Prison Advocacy Movement in Missouri” with a powerful panel of leaders, each of whom had been formerly incarcerated:

• ML Smith: Founder & Director – MoJustice
• Sheena Rogers: Show-Me Justice For All
• Mataka Askari: TEDx Speaker & Connections To Success
• Clifton Davis: Founder – PrimRose Path

In addition, Nia Plump, EleVATE Coordinator at IHN, co-led a session with Cheron Phillips from the EleVATE Collaborative titled “Challenges and Success: The Role of Community Partnership in Addressing Perinatal Mental Health.” Their session underscored the importance of collaboration in improving maternal and child health outcomes, while highlighting innovative approaches to supporting families in our region.

The St. Louis Racial Equity Summit, hosted by Forward Through Ferguson, continues to be a powerful platform to elevate, connect, and activate people and practices advancing racial equity in our region. Now in its fourth biennial convening, the Summit carries forward the legacy of the Ferguson uprising and the Ferguson Commission’s 189 calls to action, ensuring they remain a living roadmap for change. With hundreds of advocates gathering both in person and online, the Summit is more than an event—it is a collective commitment to building a St. Louis where everyone has the opportunity to live and thrive.

Pictured above: Andwele Jolly, CEO of the IHN & Kevin Poe, Executive Director of the Home Repair Network. Photo courtesy of Renaissance TJS Photography

AFFINIA PARTNERS WITH MSD ON BIDDLE STREET LOCATION ‘RAINSCAPING’

We’re proud to celebrate our partner, Affinia Healthcare, for their forward-thinking new rainscaping project at the Biddle Street Health Center. Through a grant from MSD’s Project Clear Large Stormwater Grants Program, Affinia is transforming its campus with sustainable upgrades, including:

  • Four rain gardens filled with native plants to filter and absorb rainwater
  • Two amended soil areas to boost water absorption
  • A pervious concrete zone designed for sustainable mobile unit parking

These improvements will help reduce flooding, protect the Mississippi River, and create a healthier, greener community space for patients, staff, and neighbors alike.

Construction is underway now, with completion expected by October 2025.

👉 Learn more: (READ MORE)

Highlighting the real-life impact of the IHN. From the experiences of our dedicated staff to testimonies from the community we serve, these stories showcase the importance of access, collaboration, and compassionate care in our community.

COMMUNITY IN ACTION: CHW STEPS UP AFTER EF-3 TORNADO

Much has already been written about the powerful EF-3 tornado that struck the St. Louis region on May 16, 2025, and its devastating impact—especially in North St. Louis. But behind every headline are personal stories of resilience and recovery. For one RE-LINK participant and his family, that story includes the steady, hands-on support of Kelvin Melton, their Community Health Worker (CHW) with the St. Louis Integrated Health Network.

The 39-year-old client, who is part of IHN’s RE-LINK program, experienced significant damage to his home, including a loss of power, roof damage, and siding destruction. The day after the storm, he and his family turned to someone they trusted: Kelvin.

Kelvin had already built a meaningful relationship with the client over months of care, support, and connection. He responded immediately—offering encouragement, helping clear debris, and ensuring the family avoided potential scams targeting tornado victims. More importantly, he showed up consistently until the family felt safe and supported.

When asked about their experience with RE-LINK and IHN, both the client and his mother shared powerful reflections:

Q: What impact has RE-LINK had on your access to healthcare? A: I’ve learned the importance of seeing my psychologist regularly. Talking with Kelvin has made me feel more at ease and confident about addressing my mental health.

Q: How has IHN supported your family in a time of need? A: IHN/RE-LINK was there when my son didn’t trust anyone. I tell Kelvin all the time—“Thank you.” My son was in a dangerous mental place. He doesn’t open up to many people, but he trusts Kelvin.

Q: How did IHN help after the tornado? A: Our CHW was physically helping—clearing debris, showing up until we were safe. He also protected us by sharing resources from trusted organizations. My mind was so overwhelmed I could’ve easily fallen victim to someone trying to scam us. The fact that Kelvin is my son’s CHW means our whole family has gained support in these trying times.

Kelvin’s quick action and continued presence show the true power of caring connections—and the critical role that CHWs play every day, especially during moments of crisis.

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING

By Latrice Tate, Assistant Director of Clinical and Community Integration, Justice Initiatives

Health and Social Services Network (HSSN) hosted the Mental Health First Aid Training (MHFA) on August 7th for the network members and other professional and community members that serve the justice involved population. The training was facilitated by St. Louis County Police, Captain Jeremy Romo, and is a product of the collaborative work efforts of the HSSN members to identify and find solutions to best support the justice involved in community and carceral systems.

MHFA emphasizes the importance of recognizing mental health issues and understanding how they can affect individuals. It aims to reduce stigma and promote a supportive environment for those in need.

Pictured above: Kelvin Melton, CHW; Latrice Tate, Director of Justice Initiatives; ALGEE Koala, MHFA Mascot; Captain Jeremy Romo, MHFA Trainer; Colleen Cunningham, HSSN Consultant; Kevin Harris, CHW/CRC

IHN COMMUNITY CARE INITIATIVE: BUILDING HEALTH & RESILIENCE

When the May 16, 2025, tornado tore through St. Louis, it left more than homes in its wake—it left thousands of families facing urgent health needs and uncertainty about where to turn.

The St. Louis Integrated Health Network (IHN) stepped up as the health-first responder, connecting more than 7,000 residents to care, resources, and hope. Now, through the IHN Community Care Initiative, we are investing in long-term, neighborhood-based health support rooted in Community Health Workers (CHWs)—trusted connectors from the impacted communities who ensure that when we stand together, St. Louis is unshakable.

➡️ To learn more about the IHN Community Care Initiative visit here.

At the St. Louis Integrated Health Network, we have seen the importance of policy in advancing our work to reimagine a healthcare system that works equitably for all St. Louisans by prioritizing the needs of low-income patients. We have a long history of direct service programs that impact the lives of individuals, and through that work, we have identified policy barriers to further advancing our efforts over the years. These barriers have led to ad hoc policy engagement, providing meaningful change, including introduction of Medicaid coverage for group prenatal care. However, we have not systematically engaged in policy change efforts as an organization.

With the launch of our policy team in 2024, and following the recent passage of H.R. 1, we see now as a critical time to engage systematically in the policy arena. We are excited to more directly engage in policy change that responds to needs identified in our programs as well as proactively pushing for changes that will enhance our impact. Our focus is on three broad topic areas:

1. Maternal and infant health- our engagement on this topic will draw from our long programmatic history, and we anticipate contributing significant expertise to state-level efforts to improve maternal and infant health in Missouri

2. Improving access to care- particularly with the passage of H.R. 1, we see a focus on insurance coverage and enrollment, as well as related access issues, as critical to ensuring continued availability of healthcare coverage for individuals as well as viability of healthcare providers

3. Workforce- one of our four strategic pillars, we continue to see opportunities to advocate at state, local, and national levels for enhanced support for the healthcare safety net workforce to ensure providers are available

We are continuing to flesh out specific policy activities on which we will engage, leading on a select few and supporting partners in other areas. We will be discussing opportunities with a wide range of partners and encourage others seeing alignment between our work and theirs to reach out for discussions on how we can collectively move the needle in these areas. Please contact Ryan Barker, Chief Program and Policy Officer (rbarker@stlouisihn.org) and Bill Winfrey, Vice President of Policy and Strategic Initiatives (bwinfrey@stlouisihn.org) for additional information.