Combatting Barriers: Community Health Worker Kathryn Washington Helps Build Trust and Increase Access to Health Care

By Taruni Donti

Explore the resources at the end to find valuable community support for trauma, Veteran health, maternal health, behavioral health, and more! 

Washington said, “My passion for public health stems from a deep commitment to addressing health disparities and inequities. Growing up, I saw firsthand how systemic barriers disproportionately limited access to healthcare in my community.” 

In addition to her lived experience, Washington has worked in many spaces where she developed her skills and witnessed firsthand the ways in which disparities affect health. She served as an army medic during the Gulf War Era and worked in pharmacy and hospice care among other roles across the healthcare system.  

“We don’t place enough emphasis on caring for the whole person throughout their entire lifespan, from birth to death. That’s my focus—ensuring that care and resources are tailored to meet the unique needs of the people I serve. Healthcare is my passion, and I’m honored to support my community and contribute to initiatives that advance health equity and improve lives.” 

To strengthen her community health work skills, Washington participated in Colorado’s CHW Training Program offered by the Patient Navigation and Community Health Worker Training Program (PNCT) in partnership with Trailhead Institute and The Alliance of Colorado Community Health Workers, Patient Navigators and Promotores de Salud (The Alliance). 

What is the Community Health Worker Training Program?  

Supported by funding from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) from 2022 through 2025, Colorado’s CHW Training Program offers free training in community health work and health navigation. Training plans are flexible and have in-person, online and self-paced options. Pathways include CHW Apprenticeship, CHW Trainee, and Upskilling Training.  

“The program has been transformative,” Washington shared. “It has equipped me with invaluable skills, including cultural humility and a deeper understanding of social determinants of health. Beyond theory, it emphasizes collaboration, builds lasting connections, and empowers me to be a stronger advocate for my community. It teaches you how to truly meet people where they are—at a grassroots level.”

With the help of the program, Washington has been able to better address the root causes of health inequities and better the well-being of her community.  

Participants gather in Baltimore, MD for a Veteran engagement research event where Kathryn Washington advocated for Veterans who require help from caregivers. Washington and her fellow attendees were successfully able to establish a Veteran/caregiver panel.

The greatest challenge I’ve faced,” Washington said, “is navigating the deep mistrust many community members have toward the healthcare system, rooted in historical injustices and systemic inequities.” 

This mistrust is founded upon a long history of navigating a U.S. healthcare system that disenfranchises people based on intersections of race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, disability, age, and class. Examples include but are not limited to forced sterilizations of women of color starting in the 1900s, the ongoing belief and implicit bias that Black people experience less pain – and thus don’t need care – compared to white people, and the challenges for transgender people – and especially transgender people of color – in accessing gender-affirming care.  

“It reminded me that our work is just not about providing services. It’s about being in these spaces where people feel seen, where they’re heard, and where they’re actually valued. They’re not alone.” 

Colorado is not exempt from this painful history. Historical examples of health injustice include the removal of land – now worth $1.7 trillion – from Indigenous people and private hospitals first established in metro Denver in the late 1800s and early 1900s that denied care to Coloradans of color.  

According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), racial and ethnic disparities continue through health challenges such as stroke, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, drug-related overdose, and more. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic often worsened challenges in accessing care. The 2023 Colorado Health Access Survey further revealed that many people with disabilities faced barriers in accessing health care such as a “lack of disability competent health care services, difficulty getting doctor’s appointments, and high out of pocket costs” despite having health insurance. LGBTQIA2+ Coloradoans faced huge disparities in mental health and access to care, and many groups – especially in rural communities – experienced barriers to substance use treatment. Almost 300,000 Coloradans who sought healthcare in 2023 said that they felt disrespected, the top reasons being “age, income, race, disability, and weight.”  

Image from Colorado Health Institute. 

This historical and continued marginalization contributes to fewer people from marginalized groups choosing to access care or receiving the relevant or correct information they need to improve their health. Washington saw this in her own community.  

“It’s tough,” she said. “We’ve lost lives because of this. People struggle with addiction when their trauma goes unaddressed. Some stop taking their prescribed medication, believing they no longer need it or choosing to rely solely on herbal supplements, rejecting Western medicine entirely. Others dismiss the risks, not realizing that excessive salt intake can lead to strokes. 

I encourage autonomy in health decisions, but I also urge caution—it’s essential to do thorough research and consult trusted professionals before making significant changes. We’ve lost lives, and we are working tirelessly to minimize that. More than anything, I want to ensure that people’s voices are truly heard.” 

Washington now uses the skills and network she gained from the CHW Training Program to go beyond the doctor-patient relationship and help people find and access resources, especially care that acknowledges and respects different identities and cultures. Such cultural competence is linked to better health care and health outcomes for racial and ethnic minorities. Washington also helps change policy and increase opportunities for connection across her community. 

“It’s about meeting people where they are and connecting them to the resources they need. The impact is truly powerful.” 

While much of Washington’s work is intersectional, a key area of her role includes expanding access to mental health. As a member of the Behavioral Health Administration Advisory Council, she helps advocate for policy change so that every Coloradan has access to mental health care. She also works directly with community members.  

“I worked with a veteran who faced significant barriers to accessing mental health care,” Washington shared. “Stigma and a general mistrust of the healthcare system were major obstacles. But by connecting him to culturally appropriate resources and support, I saw his confidence grow significantly. His resilience was a powerful reminder of why this work is so important.” 

Washington also works to improve maternal health for Black women. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women are three times more likely to die during pregnancy compared to white women. Reasons for this disparity include barriers to accessing quality healthcare, underlying chronic conditions, structural racism, and implicit bias from providers. 

To combat this disparity, Washington helps connect Black mothers to culturally competent resources, increase awareness about health needs, and helps mothers advocate for themselves when they interact with doctors. And when speaking to mothers, Washington always begins from a place of compassion.  

“I listen with empathy,” she said. “I remain patient as I help people navigate these systems. They aren’t easy to navigate—especially in healthcare, where needs often go unmet, and someone is preparing to give birth. There are resources available, and right now, we’re working to raise awareness so mothers can receive better care.” 

Kathryn Washington gives a talk on trauma and advocating for mental health in underrepresented communities.   

To help bring support directly to her community, Washington also strengthens resource-sharing outside of traditional healthcare spaces. According to the Colorado Black Health Collaborative, barbershops are “not only places for grooming; they’re community hubs where crucial health conversations happen.” When distrust in the healthcare system is high, trusted barbers can help open the door for important conversations about the health of their clients. 

Washington supports two barbershop initiatives in Colorado. Project Hair Care equips barbers to provide tools and resources to support the mental wellness of their community members. The BBSHOP program screens clients for blood pressure and provides resources and education to prevent cardiovascular disease and address other chronic conditions like diabetes. So far, BBSHOP has screened almost 10,000 people for high blood pressure. 

Washington shared, “It’s about meeting people where they are and connecting them to the resources they need. The impact is truly powerful.” 

Washington said, “Eventually, I’d like to develop a culturally responsive program that addresses the issues I’m most passionate about, particularly mental health and substance use. I’m committed to prevention and supporting underserved communities. Everyone deserves to live with dignity and be treated with the respect they are owed.” 

Having finished the CHW Training Program’s coursework, Washington is now working on confirming her placement for the internship phase of the training. With her support, more community members have been able to live happier, healthier lives.  

Kathryn Washington and fellow Veterans meet in Minneapolis, MN to discuss the future of their Veteran/caregiver panel, the importance of the panel, and how to work directly with researchers to understand Veterans’ pain and the impact of opioids. 

For future Community Health Workers (CHW’s), Washington offered this advice: “Dive in with an open mind and open heart. Public health and CHW work require passion, persistence, and the flexibility to adapt—because no two days are ever the same. Embrace the discomfort of growth. There will be moments when you feel stuck, when it seems like you’re not moving forward. But change doesn’t happen overnight, right? It’s the small, consistent efforts that lead to real transformation. And above all, recognize the power of community in creating lasting impact.” 

“I’ll be an advocate for the rest of my life,” Washington shared with a smile. “But don’t get me wrong—I have other passions, too! Acting is something I’m stepping into, and one day, I’ll open my own clinic. It’s all part of my purpose—and the adventure—and we’re making it happen!” 

Here are valuable resources that Kathryn Washington shared for the organizations she’s worked with on trauma, Veteran health, maternal health, and behavioral health. 

• Mama Bird Doula Services is a Colorado nonprofit that serves BIPOC pregnant individuals and their families through pregnancy and beyond. Also explore their collection of resources in Colorado and across the U.S.
• Colorado Black Health Collaborative offers a 2024 Resource Directory and includes info on maternal health and barbershop initiatives. 
• STOP COVAD provides resources, referrals, support services and limited funding to individuals and families who have been impacted by violence and/or discrimination.
• Veterans Affairs offers benefits and health care for Veterans.
• Colorado Behavioral Health Administration includes state and local mental health and substance use services.

Learn more about CHWs and explore training programs across Colorado to join this exciting workforce helping people in their communities live healthier lives. Learn more about the work Trailhead does to prepare Colorado’s next generation of public health leaders  here and by exploring more stories below!