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Programs & Minors

The Responsive Trust Network

ABOUT

The Responsive Trust Network (RTN) is housed at the University of Houston’s Community Health Workers Initiative (CHWI) dedicated to building a stronger, more supportive, and healthier communities within multiple areas of Houston. With a profound commitment to fostering respect, trust, and support, the network serves as the cornerstone upon whichcommunities can be built through a supportive infrastructure for Community Health Workers (CHWs) built on research, workforce development, and a professional network. The RTN's unwavering commitment to promoting respect, trust, and support in underserved communities has positioned it as a vital force for positive change in Houston. By empowering CHWs and community stakeholders, offering valuable research opportunities, training, and mentorship, and providing a variety of additional benefits, the network not only enhances individual capacity but also elevates the collective well-being of communities it serves. Joining the Responsive Trust Network is not just an opportunity; it's a commitment to becoming a catalyst for transformative change in community health.


MISSION

At its heart, the mission of the Responsive Trust Network (RTN) is to establish an environment that uplifts and empowers individuals, primarily Community Health Workers (CHWs) and community stakeholders. The RTN is dedicated to establishing a dynamic research and community platform, where CHWs and other public health professionals collaborate to bolster community engagement. A core focus is given to addressing non-medical drivers of health through open and bidirectional communication. The RTN aspires to create an empowering space, underpinned by dynamic research, collaboration, and comprehensive professional development, including meaningful partnerships with employers.

RTN Mission

TEXAS HEALTH INSTITUTE

Texas Health Institute

Since 1964, Texas Health Institute has served as a trusted, leading voice on public health and health care issues in Texas and the nation. Their expertise, strategies, and nimble approach makes them an integral and essential partner in driving systems change efforts. They work across and within sectors to lead collaborative efforts and facilitate connections to foster systems that provide the opportunity for everyone to lead a healthy life. Kara Hill, MHA, BSSW, the Senior Director of Health Integration, currently co-leads the Responsive Trust Network with UH staff and faculty.

RTN SNAPSHOT

RTN Snapshot 1

RTN Snapshot 2

RTN ADVISORY COUNCIL

  • Michelle Presley, CHW, CHWI

    H.O.P.E. Initiative
    Oncology Consultants

  • Tamika Moore, CHW, CHWI

    Youth & Adult MHFA
    DFW-CHW, TAPCHW, NACHW

  • LaToya Shield, MPA, BSW, CHW

    Purpose Driven Change Agent
    Adjunct Professor, TSU 

  • Delia De La Cruz, BA, CHW

    Long Term Advocate
    Mexico & El Paso, TX

  • Mercedes Duchicela, CHW

    Medicaid Case Manager
    Rural Texas, Texas A&M

  • Lynita Robinson, CHW

     Serves Austin and Houston 

  • Roxana Lopez, CHW, Health Coach

    Serves Rural Texas, Lubbock Area
    Past President of TAPCHW

  • Margaret Goetz

     Fundadora-Presidente de ProSalud ​
    Pediatra 

  • Giovanna Castro CHWI CVN

  • Sonia Rubio CHW

  • Ana Castillo CHW​

 

RESPONSIVE TRUST NETWORK PHASES

RESPONSIVE TRUST NETWORK: PHASE I

RTN Phase I

Timeline: October 2022 – August 2023
Outcomes:

  • 40 CHWs were trained and certified
  • 20 CHWs hired
  • 9 different communities served
    • 77031
      77036
      77045
      77047
      77071
      77072
      77074
      77081
      77099
  • 30 health workshops delivered
  • 385 community members reached

RESPONSIVE TRUST NETWORK: PHASE II

Objective: Enhance the capacity and knowledge base of Community Health Workers
Timeline: September 2023 – currently ongoing

Community Health Worker Listening Sessions:
The University of Houston with the Texas Health Institute held two Community Health Worker Listening sessions, one in English on December 6 th, 2023 and one in Spanish on and January 5 th , 2024. At these sessions we heard about the barriers, needs, and opportunities CHWs see in their communities  around mental, emotional, and behavioral health. We also learned about the needs, hopes, and desires for CHWs and what they wanted to learn or understand to respond to these needs in the community. We held a follow-up session on January 11 th , 2024 in both languages where we confirmed the topics discussed in the previous sessions and asked CHWs to help plan our follow-up learning session series and daylong conference in May.

Community Health Worker Learning Series:
These monthly learning sessions were led by CHWs for CHWs and focused on upskilling in behavioral and emotional health. These sessions were aimed to create a peer-to-peer learning environment. 5 monthly sessions were held in both english and spanish during the Spring of 2024.

CHW Responsive Trust Network Meetings:
The RTN seeks to build networks with systems by bringing together all CHW interested parties throughout the State of Texas in a shared dialogue and collaboration with CHWs, CHW partners/allies, employers, health systems, and social service systems. In these meetings we will discuss challenges faced by CHWs, best practices, comprehensive training and professional development, and many more things! Please attend and register.

RESPONSIVE TRUST NETWORK: PHASE III

  • Texas Health Institute is making strong progress toward the primary outcomes of the Responsive Trust Network (RTN) project. The Advisory Committee (AC) currently includes nine members, exceeding the original goal of six to eight, and has convened three quarterly meetings this year, aligning with the target of three to four annually. An evaluation survey confirms strong outcomes: all AC members rated their likelihood to recommend participation between 8 and 10, with the majority scoring 9–10 (Promoters). In addition, most members agreed or strongly agreed that their participation has directly influenced and guided the work of the RTN, reflecting meaningful engagement and shared ownership.
  • Community Health Professionals (CHPs) selected the Harvard Empower Behavioral Activation course as a training priority to address complex health conditions. To date, 54 CHPs have completed the training (38 in English and 16 in Spanish), surpassing the target of 50 completions. Early feedback indicates participants are integrating new practices into their community work, demonstrating both skill acquisition and practical application.
  • The RTN launched beta testing of its Peer Support Network (PSN) in May 2025 with 19 participants. Enrollment was intentionally limited due to capacity constraints. While platform discussion has been minimal, structured feedback loops at AC meetings are guiding strategies to improve engagement and inform when to expand participation beyond beta.
  • Engagement across the broader RTN continues to grow significantly. To date, 50 CHPs have completed the RTN Interest Form in Spanish and 123 in English, including 101 who are new to the RTN in 2025. Additionally, 101 Spanish-speaking CHPs and 186 English-speaking CHPs have registered for Zoom sessions, with each session drawing approximately 40 to 50 participants per month. In total, the RTN has convened eight meetings in English and eight in Spanish this year, creating consistent opportunities for dialogue, feedback, and leadership development.