Glossary of filter terms

CHW input in process: how have CHWs been involved in considering or designing certification?

CHW role, scope of practice: what process was followed in defining the occupation? What definitions were adopted?

Competencies: what process was followed in defining the skills that are required to work as a CHW?

Continuing education: what requirements are considered appropriate for ongoing learning in order to renew certification?

Funding of certification: how will/should the administration of a certification program be funded?

Grandparenting language and processes: what was discussed or concluded about requirements for certification on the basis of past experience?  What processes were discussed/established to evaluate applications based on experience?

Legislative language, bills, etc.: what kind of legislation was needed to officially authorize or establish certification?

Lessons learned from other states: what have other states learned about the best way to go about deciding whether to have certification, and/or what it should look like?   Who needs to be involved?  (see also subtopics under “The Policy Development Process”)

National guidance: what do national studies say about certification, and decision processes around certification, looking at multiple states?  What do various organizations say in support of, or opposition to, certification?

Process and development: what steps were taken by state level groups in making decisions around certification?

Reciprocity between states: what have states decided about accepting or recognizing a CHW certified in another state as being automatically certified if they move into their state, or commute across state lines to work?

Role of state government: what official role did the state government play in decision processes around certification?  Is it an official state initiative? If not, did the state officially participate in the decision process or fund it?

Specialty tracks and supervisor training: was certification recommended only as a general qualification, or were other specialist certifications created as well, such as behavioral health or oral health? Was training recommended or created for supervisors of CHWs?

State input in process: did state government take official positions in decisions about certification?  How did state officials communicate their views during the decision process?

Training and training programs: what decisions were made about training requirements for CHW certification? Were standards created for CHW training programs?  Did these standards become part of official certification requirements?  Does the certification program include certification of training programs or instructors?

CMS and CDC engagement from a national level: what have the CDC and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) done to show support for ongoing funding of CHWs?

Expand evidence base: what have states done to assemble evidence to justify sustainable funding of CHW services?

Documentation of how CHWs can work within care teams: what reports, papers, are available describing the roles of CHWs within health care teams?

Evidence-based interventions: what evaluation reports or research studies have been gathered by states on the impact of CHWs in specific interventions?

How to engage and work with Medicaid: what strategies have states used to stimulate interest in CHWs in the State Medicaid office? How have state CHW initiatives worked with Medicaid Managed Care organizations?  at what point in the policy process do state coalitions reach out to Medicaid officials?

Including community-based CHWs: what have states done to assure that policies to benefit CHWs and employers include community-based and non-healthcare organizations?

Marketing/awareness campaigns, including national: reports on planning and doing marketing to reach stakeholders who do not fully understand or appreciate CHWs.

CDC input on state-level strategic planning: what input or guidance has the CDC given to states on strategic planning and/or workforce development for CHWs, especially under chronic disease funding?

Chronic Disease: what reports have states created for the CDC on CHW activities under chronic disease funding?

CHW training programs (not cert.): examples of existing programs or the process of creating them, with emphasis on the cost of developing and operating the training

Data sharing between social services and clinical teams: what concerns have come up around the ability to share data from CHW activities between community based organizations (CBOs) and healthcare providers? what creative ways have been found to deal with these concerns?

National endorsement/stance on CHWs: what do national organizations say about CHWs, especially about training

Outreach campaigns to identify CHWs: what have states done to find working CHWs (including volunteers), either directly (networking) or thru employers?

Outreach, education, and TA to employers on CHW generally: how have state initiatives tried to communicate with current and potential employers of CHWs, to educate them on the benefits of employing CHWs and/or best practices to gain the maximum benefit or impact from employing CHWs?

Promotores: what have states learned about engaging with promotores de salud, in terms of distinctive approaches to their work, training needs, etc.?

Recruiting and convening CHWs, stakeholders: what methods have state initiatives used to engage CHWs and other stakeholders in efforts to increase the state’s capacity in workforce development for CHWs?

Training- Content, modes, delivery: what do training programs in other states look like in terms of what they cover and how they delivery educational experiences?

Training- Continuing education: what subjects are covered in ongoing CHW education on specific topics? Who provides and funds such training?

General language around CHW Workforce development: documents that discuss workforce development for CHWs in broad or general terms; theories and definitions.

Identifying policy expertise within state: how have state level groups located individuals and organizations with expertise on public policy around CHWs, and recruited them to assist state-level initiatives?

Legislative language: examples of actual bills introduced and/or passed in various state legislatures (note: for current summaries of state legislation in multiple states, see “Other Important Resources” at the bottom of our Home Page).

Lessons learned from other states: other reflections on the experience of specific states in policy decisions affecting CHWs, especially related to workforce development.

Living wage campaigns: examples of efforts to improve wage levels for CHWs and other front-line workers.

National guidance, especially in new policy areas: recommendations from national organizations on advocating for public policy that is supportive of CHWs