Community Health Workers: Financing & Administration

The National Health Care for the Homeless Council recognizes the development and expansion of Community Health Worker (CHW) programs within Health Care for the Homeless projects as a significant opportunity to improve health and access to care for those experiencing homelessness. Starting in 2014, the Affordable Care Act expands Medicaid to those at or below 133% of the Federal Poverty Level, which offers an additional opportunity to utilize CHWs to provide outreach and assistance with enrollment. This publication is designed to complement other Council efforts to promote CHW programs, such as Community Health Workers in Health Care for the Homeless: a Guide for Administrators, by providing an overview of federal and state policies governing CHW programs and providing recommendations for how HCH
projects can fully leverage public and private funds to implement CHW programs. A brief history of the CHW profession, financing options, training and certification models, opportunities in the ACA, three state case studies, considerations for HCH projects and recommendations are provided for a range of stakeholders will all be discussed.