Atara Estes
St Louis,MO
Summary
Versatile CHW Leadership Development Specialist with results-driven and focused approach to completing work. Skilled leader, planner and problem-solver with over 10-year career in Community Health Worker Profession. Known for excellent attention to detail and great work ethic.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
CHW Leadership Development Specialist
St. Louis Integrated Health Network
St. Louis, MO
03.2023 - Current
Responsibilities:
- Mentorship: Provided mentorship to Community Health Workers (CHWs), enhancing their skills, knowledge, and professional development.
- CDC-Funded CHW Workforce Project: Contributed significantly to the regional CDC-funded CHW Workforce project, focusing on strategic workforce development.
- Talent Strategies: Collaborated on the creation and implementation of talent strategies aimed at improving CHW retention and career progression.
- CHW Retention and Career Advancement: Developed and executed initiatives to retain CHWs and facilitate clear pathways for their career advancement.
- Employer Support: Designed and delivered training, education, and mentorship programs to support employers in effectively integrating and supporting CHWs within their organizations.
- Advocacy and Policy Development: Engaged in advocacy and policy initiatives to support and elevate the CHW workforce at both regional and national levels.
Achievements:
- National Recognition: Achieved national recognition for leadership in CHW workforce development.
- Enhanced Employer Support: Successfully developed and implemented programs that significantly improved employer support for CHWs, leading to better integration and effectiveness of CHWs within the workforce.
- Policy Influence: Played a key role in influencing policy changes and advocacy efforts that strengthened the CHW workforce infrastructure and career development opportunities.
- Behavioral Health and Social Justice Advocacy: Demonstrated a strong passion and commitment to behavioral health, mediation, policy advocacy, and social justice, positively impacting the holistic wellness of communities.
- Certification and Consultancy: Leveraged expertise as a Certified Community Health Worker (ICHW-C) Instructor and Consultant to drive substantial positive changes in community health practices.
- HEAL Partnership: As a former co-chair, significantly contributed to shaping regional CHW initiatives and improving healthcare access partnerships.
Community Health Worker
St. Louis Integrated Health Network
St. Louis, MO
12.2016 - 04.2023
Responsibilities:
- Served in the Re-entry Community Linkages (RE-LINK) program, focusing on improving health outcomes for disadvantaged populations transitioning from jail.
- Addressed social determinants of health to prevent recidivism through personalized support and community health worker advocacy.
- Worked closely with team members to provide comprehensive support to program participants.
Achievements:
- Elevated the RE-LINK program by addressing social determinants of health and preventing a return to the justice system.
- Achieved high rates of enrollment in education programs for participants.
- Contributed to reduced re-incarceration rates among program participants.
- Increased utilization of mental health services within the target population.
- Improved overall health status and sustained employment for program participants.
Municipal Court Clerk
St. Louis County
01.2009 - 02.2016
- Responded to public and legal community inquiries about court operations
- Performed clerical and data entry tasks, managed court records, and interacted with law enforcement and agencies.
Past President
Community Health Workers Association of Missouri
- Provided leadership and strategic direction for the association
- Advocated for CHW workforce development and policy initiatives.
Co-Chair
Violence Prevention Commission for Racial Equity
- Led efforts to address racial inequity and systemic racism in violence prevention strategies.
Advocate and Leader
St. Louis Ending Violence Against Women's Network (SLEVAWN)
- Engaged in advocacy for violence prevention and support for survivors of domestic violence and sexual violence.
Education
Program Management - Certification Training Course
St. Louis Community College
St Louis, MO03-2022
Certificate of Completion - Community Health Worker
St. Louis Community College
St Louis, MO12-2016
High School Diploma -
Waukegan High School
Waukegan, IL06-1993
Some College (No Degree) - Business Administration And Management
Columbia College Chicago
St Louis, MOSkills
- Community Health Work
- Leadership Development
- Public Speaking
- Advocacy and Policy
- Holistic Wellness Coaching
- Community Health Worker (CHW) Development
- Workforce Retention and Career Advancement
- Training and Educational Program Development
- Expert Problem Solving
- Advanced Communication
- Behavioral Health and Social Justice
- Mediation and Conflict Resolution
- Strategic Collaboration and Partnership Building
- Emergency Response
- Professional Demeanor
- Team building
- Reliability
- Idea Development and Brainstorming
- Interpersonal Communication
- Business Development
- Continuous Improvement
- Process Improvement
- Self Motivation
- Active Listening
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Experience in leadership
- Cultural Awareness
- Policy Development
- Mobilization support
- Recruitment Strategies
- Program Planning
- Written Communication
- Emotional awareness
- Attention to Detail
- Scriptwriting
- Promotional planning
- Audience Engagement
- Collaboration
- Content Creation
- Project Management
- Exceptional storytelling
- Persuasive Writing
- Creative Writing
- Fundraising and Donations
- Nonprofit Fundraising
- Donor Solicitation and Fundraising
- Organizing Fundraising Activities
- Art Fundraising Strategies
- Strategic fundraising
- Fundraising and Sponsorship Coordination
Affiliations
- National Association of Community Health Workers (NACHW)
- Community Health Workers Association of Missouri (Past President)
- St. Louis Ending Violence Against Women Network (SLEVAWN)
- Violence Prevention Commission for Racial Equity (Co-Chair)
- Regional Health Commission (Advisory Board/Committee Member)
- STL Community Health Worker Coalition (Inaugural Board of Leaders Member)
- Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (St. Louis City)
- HEAL Partnership (Co-Chair)
Education And Certifications
- Certified Community Health Worker (ICHW-C) Instructor and Consultant
- Motivational Interviewing
- Mental Health First Aid
- Community Organization and Advocacy
- Community Research Fellows Training Program
- Community Partner Basic Human Subjects Training
- Navigating the Role of Middle Manager
- PMP Certification Training Course
- Credential Community Health Worker
- Train the Trainer CHW Instructor
- Train the Trainer Trauma-Informed Care Community Consultant
Public Speaking And Presentations
- Conferences and Seminars
- National Association of Community Health Workers (NACHW) Annual Conference
- Community Health Workers Association of Missouri Events
- Women's Empowerment Conferences
- Corporate Events
- St. Louis Integrated Health Network Workshops
- Employee Development Programs for various organizations
- Educational Institutions
- Local High Schools and Universities in St. Louis
- Graduation Ceremonies and Career Days
- Community Organizations
- St. Louis Ending Violence Against Women Network (SLEVAWN) Events
- Community Centers and Non-Profit Organizations in the Greater St. Louis Area
- Health and Wellness Retreats
- Wellness Retreats focusing on holistic health and mental wellness
- Support Groups for survivors of trauma and domestic violence
- Workshops and Training Programs
- Skill-Building Workshops for Community Health Workers
- Personal Development Programs and Training Sessions
- Religious and Spiritual Gatherings
- Churches and Spiritual Retreats in the St. Louis area
- Faith-Based Conferences and Events
- Media Platforms
- Guest Appearances on Local Podcasts and Webinars
- Interviews on Local Radio Shows
- Author Events
- Book Launches and Signings for "Damaged Goods: My Healing Journey Journal"
- Literary Festivals and Author Panels
- Political and Social Activism Events
- Rallies and Marches focused on social justice and equality
- Advocacy Conferences for racial equity and violence prevention
- Special Interest Groups
- Professional Associations related to community health work
- Support Networks for survivors of domestic violence and trauma
Authorship
- Upcoming Movie: Joint Production Based on a true story and survivor "Damaged Goods" (2025)
- Upcoming Book: "Damaged Goods: My Healing Journey Journal" (2025)
- Self-Published Book: Based on a true story and survivor "Damaged Goods: My Journey" (Available on Amazon)
Advocacy Trip
March 2024, Advocacy for Community Health Workers, In March 2024, I embarked on a transformative journey to Washington, D.C., with the primary objective of raising awareness and educating congressional leaders about the pivotal role of Community Health Workers (CHWs). This trip was an incredible opportunity to advocate for the CHW Access Acts and the National CHW Awareness Resolution Week. As a member of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Community Health Workers (NACHW), this experience underscored the profound impact we can achieve through collective action., Senator Josh Hawley, Meeting with Staffer, Highlighted the essential contributions of CHWs in enhancing healthcare access and outcomes, particularly in underserved communities across Missouri., Congresswoman Cori Bush, Meeting with Congresswoman Cori Bush and Her Assistant, Emphasized the significant impact CHWs have in St. Louis and throughout Missouri. Discussed the National CHW Awareness Resolution Week and the need for legislative support., Tuesday, March 12, 2024, Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill, On Tuesday, March 12, 2024, around 100 NACHW members converged on Capitol Hill to advocate for the CHW Access Acts, showcasing the power of CHW voices united in a common cause., Raising Awareness: Engaged policymakers with personal insights and real-world examples of CHW challenges and successes., Educational Outreach: Emphasized the need for legislative support to sustain and expand the CHW workforce., Building Alliances: Established connections with influential leaders and their staff for ongoing collaboration., Continued Advocacy: Committed to ongoing advocacy efforts, including follow-ups, future advocacy events, testimonies, and community support mobilization., This trip reinforced the importance of advocacy and the critical role of CHWs in shaping healthcare policy. It was an honor to represent the CHW community and advocate for supportive legislation to improve health outcomes and access to healthcare. The experience highlighted the power of togetherness in advancing the CHW profession and community well-being.
Advocacy And Leadership Roles
- Board of Directors Member, National Association of Community Health Workers (NACHW)
- Inaugural Board of Leaders Member, STL Community Health Worker Coalition
- Advisory Board/Committee Member, Regional Health Commission
- COVID-19 Regional Response Team Member
- IHN Workforce Development Committee Member
- Co-Chair, Racial Equity Focus, St. Louis Violence Prevention Commission
- Public Health Committee Member, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (St. Louis City)
- Policy and Advocacy Committee Member, NACHW
Personal Information
Place of Birth: Chicago
Portfolio And Testimonials
A comprehensive portfolio of Atara Tatu Estes's work, along with testimonials, can be accessed upon request or through her professional website.
Languages
English: Native proficiency
References
Available upon request.
Volunteer Experience
- Crime Victim Advocate Programs
- Break the Cycle Educator Sessions
- St. Louis County Domestic Violence Court Victims Advocate
- Court Watch Project for St. Louis Ending Violence Against Women Network
- COVID-19 Regional Response Team Engagements
- Steering Committee Member Events for St. Louis Violence Prevention Commission
Timeline
CHW Leadership Development Specialist
St. Louis Integrated Health Network
03.2023 - Current
Community Health Worker
St. Louis Integrated Health Network
12.2016 - 04.2023
Municipal Court Clerk
St. Louis County
01.2009 - 02.2016
Past President
Community Health Workers Association of Missouri
Co-Chair
Violence Prevention Commission for Racial Equity
Advocate and Leader
St. Louis Ending Violence Against Women's Network (SLEVAWN)
Program Management - Certification Training Course
St. Louis Community College
Certificate of Completion - Community Health Worker
St. Louis Community College
High School Diploma -
Waukegan High School
Some College (No Degree) - Business Administration And Management
Columbia College Chicago
Similar Profiles
Joceline PierreJoceline Pierre
Community Referral Coordinator (CRC) at Saint Louis Integrated Health NetworkCommunity Referral Coordinator (CRC) at Saint Louis Integrated Health Network
Kelly ParksKelly Parks
Registered Nurse at St. Louis County Department of Public Health-St. Louis, MORegistered Nurse at St. Louis County Department of Public Health-St. Louis, MO
Kellie NevelKellie Nevel
Lead HR Specialist at Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) 17, VA Heart of Texas Health Care NetworkLead HR Specialist at Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) 17, VA Heart of Texas Health Care Network
Devon ReeseDevon Reese
Front Desk Receptionist at Planet FitnessFront Desk Receptionist at Planet Fitness
Hannah SchmittHannah Schmitt
Community Resource Coordinator at Willows WayCommunity Resource Coordinator at Willows Way