(Sharing 2/3/2026) Biweekly CHW Message: Times Are Trying. Our Mission Remains Essential

Times Are Trying. Our Mission Remains Essential.

CHWs are showing up for the community every day while navigating their own dread, anger, sadness, secondary trauma, and burnout.

Commentary: When Fear Enters the Community: Why CHWs Must Be Prepared, Protected, and Supported

There's a lot of talk lately about filming immigration enforcement -- doing this can expose abuses, but it also comes with risks. Learn more from Witness (available in multiple languages, as is this tipsheet: Real or Rumor: How to Verify Online Reports of ICE Raids.)

Continue to stay calm and steady in this storm. 

• Right to Be offers a free training in Resilience, which is different from and harder than self-care, on Feb. 4, 6 PM-7 PM. Info & registration

• Envision made a Crisis Survival Kit for CHWs and Allies , and collection of self-care toolkits for CHWs and CHW supervisors

Spotlight: Maternal Mortality

Recently, a Black midwife in South Carolina, Janell Green Smith, died tragically after her first childbirth. Risk factors for pregnancy-associated death include being over age 40 (which she was not) and being Native American or Black. Nationally and in Texas, more than 85% of maternal deaths are preventable. Locally, Metro Health trains medical providers on respectful health care and works to catalyze systems changes. At an individual level, we can accompany folks to health care visits, take advantage of local Maternal Health Resources, and share Urgent Maternal Warning Signs (in 90+languages here) and Hear Her Texas materials, including conversation scripts for doctor visits.

Respiratory Infection Updates

Texas respiratory virus levels are moderate and decreasing. 

• Good Health Wins held two flu awareness calls this month. Here's their Jan. 15 slide deck.

• Data dashboards: CDC | Metro Health | DSHS | TexWEB wastewater | Walgreens Respiratory Illness Index | National wastewater 

Navigation Resources of the Week

·                     SAWS Plumbers to the People provides emergency water leak repair assistance to low-income residential customers.

• 10 Facts About What FDA Does and Does Not Approve

• Crowdfunding for medical expenses is getting more common. Be aware that the money you raise could change your eligibility for benefits. Tipsheet (Triage Cancer)

Upcoming Events and Opportunities.

• Apply by Feb. 9: Reframe Health & Justice - virtual Grief Mutual Aid Cohort, for people navigating grief and community care work. Details and application link

• Healthy Futures of Texas is starting a CHW training program. See attachment for details

• Empower House is enrolling two more cohorts for their 10-week healthy pregnancy curriculum from March of Dimes, starting Feb. 18 and Mar. 11. The free, hybrid program enrolls people who are no more than 27 weeks pregnant. Wraparound services include FREE therapy sessions and doula care. See attached flyer.

• Today, Feb. 2: Last day to register to vote for March primaries. Congressional, statewide and local offices are up for grabs.

• Feb. 4, 11 AM-1 PM, "When Autonomy is off the Table" community luncheon for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, 134 Blue Star (78210). Read more and register

• Feb. 4, 18, 25 at 2 PM: Heart Health series from Texas A&M AgriLife, 1615 Sherman (78202).Info and registration QR code (page 2)

• Feb. 5, 12, 26 at 5 PM: Heart Health series, same as above but at 3300 Hillcrest Dr. (78201). Info and registration QR code (page 3)

• Feb. 5, 9 AM-10 AM, virtual Bexar County CHW Partnership meeting, join here

• Feb. 5, noon-1 PM, virtual National CHW Policy Working Group. Register for Zoom invites

• Feb. 6, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM, AARC Health Access Symposium for LGBTQ and HIV health, Estancia del Norte San Antonio by Hilton, 37 NE Loop 410 (78216). Register

• Feb. 6, noon-1 PM, Communicating with Confianza health literacy ECHO. Learn more and register

• Feb. 6 & 13, 12-3 PM, Yanawana Herbolarios People's Clinic, Maverick Park, 1000 Broadway (78215). More info

• Feb. 6 evening after Isha prayer, Understanding Dementia by El Bari's Dr. Sarah Samreen, MCECC Masjid Main Hall, 5281 Casa Bella (78249)

• Feb. 7, 9 AM-1 PM, mobile primary care and women's health bus at the YWCA, 2318 Castroville Rd. (78237)

• Feb. 7, 11 AM-2 PM, 4th Annual Eastside Family Health Fair, including produce bags, a men's mental health workshop, STI testing, mammograms, and a kid entrepreneur section upstairs. 314 Eross St. (78202). Info

• Feb. 7, 2 PM-3 PM, virtual blood pressure education session from El Bari in English and Spanish, click to join

• Feb. 7, 2 PM-6 PM, 3rd Annual National Missing Persons Day offering resources and family support, 631 Utopia Ln (78223). Info

• Feb. 9, 10 AM-12:30 PM, Let's Go Senior Expo with free health screenings and workshops, Magnolia Gardens on Main, 2030 North Main Ave. (78212) Info

• Feb. 9, 11 AM-1 PM, free STI testing, Hepatitis C testing and contraception from AARC and Empower House,  200 Donaldson Ave. (78201), flyer attached.

• Feb. 9, 4 PM-7 PM, All for Them teen vaccine clinic at Say Si, 1310 S. Brazos (78207). Flyer and appointment info

• Feb. 10, 11, 17 and 18, 2 PM-3 PM, NACHW has partnered with the American Diabetes Association to raise awareness about diabetes & eye health and diabetes & vaccination. Register for the series

• Feb. 11, free mammograms at the YWCA, 503 Castroville Rd. (78237). Make an appointment at 210-433-9922 x212 or email amora@ywcasa.org or bgarcia@ywcsa.org.

• Feb. 11, 10 AM-11:30 AM, Corazon Ministries mobile medical unit at the Central Library, 600 Soledad (78205). Info

• Feb. 11, 1 PM-2 PM, City rental assistance application portal opens (second Wednesday of each month)

• Feb. 12, 10 AM-noon, free vision screening at the YWCA, 503 Castroville Rd. (78237)

• Feb. 12, 6 PM-7 PM, free Stop the Bleed training at University Health, 903 W. Martin St., 5th floor (78207). Register

• Feb. 12, 6 PM-8 PM, Bexar County CHW Partnership fellowship/convivio with 1 hour of DSHS-certified CEU, WETC, 610 SW 41st St. (78237)

• Feb. 13, 9 AM-2 PM, Latched Community Resource Day for people who are pregnant or have children under 3 years old, Grace Presbyterian Church, 950 Donaldson Avenue (78228). Register

• Each week, Westcare puts out a packed, magazine-format roundup of upcoming community events—read it by clicking here. 

• San Antonio Compassion posts flyers for resources and upcoming events here.

Logistics—How Do I Get…  

VACCINES 

• Uninsured? For recommended childhood vaccines and some adult vaccines, click the green buttons on this page for Texas Vaccines for Children and Adult Safety Net providers.

• Insured? The American Pharmacists Association offers this pharmacy map -- filter by walk-in vaccine access, handicap accessibility, hours of operation and spoken languages. (No matter what the map says, it still helps to make an appointment.) There is never a co-pay or deductible for recommended vaccines.

• Homebound seniors: Medicare will pay a doctor or other care provider to give flu, COVID-19, Hepatitis B and pneumococcal vaccines in the home, more info here.

• Everyone is still eligible for COVID vaccines this year, and it is still covered by insurance. Hate the side effects? Look for the non-mRNA formulation (the "protein vaccine" here). 

  • No prescription is required at the major national pharmacy chains.

  • For those without health insurance, this is the best discount coupon I've found ($89 as of December 2025)--still pricey, but cheaper than the treatment pills. 

  • If you are unable to get the vaccine, remember the old standbys of clean air, frequent handwashing, masking, staying away from others who are sick (and also when you're sick). More info

TESTING

• The federal program for free home tests has ended. Some health insurers still cover these.

• How to Use Home COVID and Flu Tests:

  • Lab tests are preferred for people with symptoms. If you are unable to obtain a lab test, then repeat your home COVID test every 48 hours for a total of at least two tests.

  • If any result is positive, stay home and away from others for at least 24 hours—until your symptoms are getting better and you’ve haven’t had a fever for at least 24 hours (without taking fever reducers). What to Do If You Feel Sick (CDC)

• Before throwing out an expired home test, see if the expiration date was extended by checking the Expiration Date column of the FDA’s List of Authorized At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests.

TREATMENT 

• Medications must start quickly (within 5 days of symptoms for COVID, within just 2-3 days for the flu)—so don’t delay getting a test and a diagnosis. 

• If you are at risk for complications and need antiviral pills: Low-cost online visits are available. Some people are eligible for co-pay assistance from the drug manufacturer. Learn more.