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In 2023, VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center awarded a $5,000 seed grant to the Virginia Community Health Worker Association (VACHWA). The seed grant is the first level of funding available through Massey’s Community Grant Initiative.

Massey spoke with Shanteny Jackson, M.A., CCHW, CSAC, the executive director of VACHWA, about the experience.

How did VACHWA use the Massey seed grant to improve cancer outcomes across Virginia?

VACHWA's original proposal requested funding for training, equipment and stipends for community health workers (CHW). The goal was to equip community leaders whose natural, trusting relationships create a sense of safety and security in cancer patients and their support systems.

These Cancer Prevention Ambassadors (CPA) received specialty training from an adapted version of an existing Massey curriculum. CHW participating in the training to become ambassadors reported high levels of satisfaction with the training module. Feedback included that the training was “easy to relate and explain” and included “statistics made simple.” The CHW also reported that they “enjoyed learning more facts.”

Historically marginalized groups have a higher incidence of mistrust of healthcare systems. CPA use their lived experiences and newly-acquired expertise to bridge communication, relational and educational gaps among cancer patients and their families.

Cancer Prevention Ambassadors received specialty training from an adapted version of an existing VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center curriculum.

Through training, the CPA were able to:

• Understand the basics of cancer pathology
• Become familiar with basic principles and applications of cell models to study cancer.
• Talk to people about how they could reduce their risk of getting cancer.
• Understand the impact health inequalities can have on cancer outcomes.
• Appreciate and address the fears and barriers faced by people when talking about cancer.
• Create educational and supportive hubs in a more intimate and friendly environment, such as leader homes.

Through outreach events, the CPA were able to:

• Connect with a larger subset of the population to increase awareness and exposure to cancer-related information and resources.
• Maximize and strengthen relationships, linkages and networking opportunities for a more effective and efficient program and service delivery.
• Use their training and lived experiences at outreach events to increase awareness and educate communities about cancer prevention.

A capstone project will be available in January 2024. Student samples can be shared at that time, upon request. The capstone will allow the CPA to:

• Demonstrate their mastery or expertise in a specific content area within the cancer training module.
• Create opportunities to design an innovative research thesis and investigation based on interest and cancer-related concerns.

VACHWA’s mission is to be a space for CHW to thrive both personally and professionally. This program provides opportunities for CPA to excel and feel empowered to discover other public health fields traditionally not filled by minority groups and/or communities of color.

What has the VACHWA learned from this partnership with Massey throughout 2023?

The VACHWA learned much from this partnership. VACHWA is grateful for the financial support received from Massey to help materialize this initiative. We also validated a principle we continuously exhort about CHW: they are priceless. In this case, CPA were able to be the link and boots on the ground while upholding the trust of vulnerable populations. Through that trust, CPA were able to deeply connect and build relationships with individuals and families impacted by a cancer diagnosis.

VACHWA understands and echoes the importance of providing sensitive and timely person-centered care across the cancer continuum, from health promotion and prevention through survivorship, while also reducing suffering from cancer for citizens in Massey’s catchment area. The CPA connected individuals and families to resources and information through Massey’s website and internal navigation services. We also embedded statistical data into the training curriculum to provide relatable and specific information about cancer incidence in Virginia. This helps the ambassadors connect the dots in order to appeal to and successfully reach populations based on their cultural, demographic and geographical needs.

The proposal submission was a very smooth process. However, the program implementation demonstrated to be an organic process with lots of learning curves. The content we developed required a lot of staff time, and the implementation process was labor intensive, despite having a framework to replicate. VACHWA used this opportunity to learn new skills and to improve our mechanism. In terms of a timeline, we had some delays at the beginning, but we quickly regained traction as it relates to training expectations. By July, we had recruited and oriented more than seven individuals for the CPA program.

Upon graduating the training program, the CPA felt empowered and supported to activate their educational and relational skills. At this point, the learning curve became more flexible and easier to navigate as we journeyed into the project. They co-designed the outreach and small group component within it, and VACHWA was proud of their contributions and ideas.

Massey uses a “community-to-bench” model to ensure more consistent integration of community input into Massey’s cancer research, education, care and policy initiatives. How does the VACHWA intend to continue guiding Massey's work in the area of using community health workers as cancer ambassadors?

Beyond the one-year seed grant period, the current cohort of CHW will return to their communities to educate residents about cancer prevention, symptoms and screening. VACHWA also anticipates the small groups growing in size and nature, which may require a larger meeting space. As part of the solution, we plan to expand our partnerships with local community centers and public libraries.

In addition, VACHWA will offer the Cancer Prevention Training Module regularly to VACHWA members to increase the number of ambassadors with a specialty in cancer detection and prevention. We currently have a waiting list.

Over time, this project will reduce cancer inequity gaps as more CHW take their knowledge and shared experiences directly to the individuals in their communities in addition to having a streamlined internal process to properly refer clients to Massey programs and resources.

Why should eligible community organizations pursue this funding from Massey?

The African proverb “it takes a village” is a very practical principle of the value of community. VACHWA recognizes that the best work flourishes through community engagement and collaboration. We can’t be effective by working in silos, but we can be more impactful when we have a village.

Therefore, eligible community organizations should pursue funding from Massey to:

• Strengthen Virginia communities and infuse trust in programs and services that impact the lives of individuals and families living with a cancer diagnosis or at risk.
• Educate and increase awareness about community resources and information. The impact of social determinants of health in historically marginalized communities can be a barrier that requires additional support and navigation.
• Create intentional partnerships with smaller, community-based organizations in an effort to elevate principles of identity, representation, equity and inclusion. Massey is a comprehensive cancer center for the 21st century. This banner can create a career pathway to an innovative workforce or a pipeline to public health in the areas of, for instance, community research and investigation.
• Ensure that CHW are available to support individuals living with a cancer diagnosis or at risk of a cancer diagnosis, along with their caregivers and families. CHW are frontline public health workers with solid ties to communities. VACHWA is an incubator hub for CHW to network and grow personally and professionally through education and advocacy.

About the Community Grant Initiative

Launched in Dec. 2021, Massey’s Community Grant Initiative helps community partners expand programs focused on the promotion of health, health equity, and person-centered care across the cancer continuum from prevention through survivorship, while also reducing suffering from cancer. In line with Massey’s 2021-2025 Strategic Plan, the initiative awarded seven $5,000 seed grants in 2022 and six in 2023. In addition to VACHWA, these five organizations received 2023 seed grants:

• Baptist General Convention of Virginia (Richmond)
• Firefighter Cancer Support Network-Virginia (Richmond)
• Greater Norfolk Medical Society of South Hampton Roads (Norfolk)
• Hitting Cancer Below the Belt (Midlothian)
• Us Giving Richmond Connections, Inc. (Richmond)

Massey will score the applications for 2024 seed grants on merit and expects to announce up to five recipients on Feb. 13, 2024.

Interview and article by: Amy Lacey

This article is part of a series highlighting each of the six 2023 seed grant recipients