Cleveland's State Rep. Darnell Brewer has been recognized with the Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (o4a) Advocacy Award, as announced on Thursday. The Democrat, representing District 18, was also appointed to the Ohio Department of Health’s Community Health Worker (CHW) Center for Excellence Board, stepping up as a pivotal figure in the movement to improve Ohio's approach to aging and community health.
In a move that aims to enhance the lives within his district directly, Rep. Brewer expressed his gratitude for the acknowledgment, saying, "It has been a day of advocacy for the residents of District 18. I am incredibly humbled to have been honored with the Ohio Association of Area Agencies Elected Official Advocacy Award," as per the Ohio House of Representatives press release. Brewer, who has a background in social services and as a community health worker, views the award as confirmation that their efforts to make Ohio a better place for aging populations are bearing fruit.
The award follows Brewer's involvement in forming the newly established CHW Center for Excellence Board, which received a $2.5 million yearly commitment from the state budget in 2023. This initiative, spearheaded by Health Impact Ohio, aims to critically assess and improve the training, workforce development, and education of CHWs across the state while also addressing their general welfare.
Brewer isn't just resting on his laurels following the accolade. "There is still more work to be done, and our offices will continue championing legislation and policies to help our seniors and disabled aging place," he asserted via the Ohio House of Representatives press release. Brewer promises to quickly advance measures to raise SNAP benefits for seniors, alleviate the tax burdens for aging homeowners, and bolster the safety and quality of life in Ohio communities.
If you are interested in reaching out or learning more about Rep. Brewer's initiatives, the Ohio House District 18 office encourages constituents to email [email protected] or call 614-466-1414. Additional information regarding Brewer's role and District 18 can be found on the Ohio House website.
