Walter Arrington is a native of Northwest Florida and Marine Corps Veteran. Walter currently works at Community Health Northwest Florida, (CHNWF) the area’s Federally Qualified Health Center, as the CORE & Unhoused Health Social Worker. Walter started CHNWF’s Unhoused Health Navigation program and helped spear-head the Mobile Medical Unit Program. Since last year Walter has taken on an additional role in our CORE program meant to treat persons with Substance Use Disorder. Walter’s passion is to bring healthcare and social services to the impoverished, unhoused, unseen, and unheard, of his community.
Walter was named Student Social Worker of the Year, in 2022, by the NASW Florida Chapter. Walter’s Alma Mater, the University of West Florida, awarded him the Hal Crosby Award for Leadership in 2022 and he was the commencement speaker for his graduate school class at the University of West Florida in 2023. Walter was also recognized by InWeekly as one of Pensacola’s 2023 Rising Stars. Walter served on his local Homeless Continuum of Care board of directors (BOD) 2020-2023, served on the National Area Health Education Centers (NAO AHEC) BOD 2022-2024, West Florida AHEC BOD 2024-present, 90Works BOD VP 2024-present, Homelessness Taskforce of Northwest Florida, Mental Health Taskforce of Northwest Florida, NASW Florida, Northwest Unit Officer, and is a board member of Emerald Coast Equality LGBTQIA+ Dem Caucus.
Walter is viewed by peers, colleges, and elected officials as an expert on homelessness policy, how homelessness interacts with healthcare, Substance use disorder, and homeless service delivery models of care.