The Use of Community Health Workers in Community Health Centers

Park, Jeongyoung; Regenstein, Marsha; Chong, Nicholas; Onyilofor, Chinelo

doi:10.1097/mlr.0000000000001607

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 24 publications

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“…Although there is strong evidence for the positive impact of CHWs and the CHW workforce is expanding ( 30 ), the implementation of CHW interventions in schools has been underexplored ( 31 ). This study is the first to examine the perspectives of experienced CHWs about how CHWs can be integrated and utilized in US school settings to work as part of school-based health teams to support student health and healthy school environments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community health workers' perspectives on integrating into school settings to support student health

Yao

Kowalczyk

Gregory

et al. 2023

Front. Public Health

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IntroductionWhile schools represent key venues for supporting health, they continue to experience gaps in health resources. The integration of community health workers (CHWs) into schools has the potential to supplement these resources but has been underexplored. This study is the first to examine perspectives of experienced CHWs about how CHWs can be applied in school settings to support student health.MethodsThis qualitative study involved conducting semi-structured interviews focused on implementation of CHWs in schools with individuals who held positions aligned with the CHW scope of work. De-identified transcripts were analyzed, and codes were organized into domains and themes.ResultsAmong 14 participants, seven domains emerged about the implementation of CHWs in schools: roles and responsibilities, collaborations, steps for integration, characteristics of successful CHWs, training, assessment, and potential challenges. Participants shared various potential responsibilities of school-based CHWs, including educating on health topics, addressing social determinants of health, and supporting chronic disease management. Participants emphasized the importance of CHWs building trusting relationships with the school community and identified internal and external collaborations integral to the success of CHWs. Specifically, participants indicated CHWs and schools should together determine CHWs' responsibilities, familiarize CHWs with the school population, introduce CHWs to the school community, and establish support systems for CHWs. Participants identified key characteristics of school-based CHWs, including having familiarity with the broader community, relevant work experience, essential professional skills, and specific personal qualities. Participants highlighted trainings relevant to school-based CHWs, including CHW core skills and health topics. To assess CHWs' impact, participants proposed utilizing evaluation tools, documenting interactions with students, and observing indicators of success within schools. Participants also identified challenges for school-based CHWs to overcome, including pushback from the school community and difficulties related to the scope of work.DiscussionThis study identified how CHWs can have a valuable role in supporting student health and the findings can help inform models to integrate CHWs to ensure healthy school environments.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community health workers' perspectives on integrating into school settings to support student health

Yao

Kowalczyk

Gregory

et al. 2023

Front. Public Health

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Hourly Wages and Turnover of Community Health Workers According to US State Certification Policy and Medicaid Reimbursement, 2010–2021

et al. 2022

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Objectives. To evaluate the effects of state community health worker (CHW) certification programs and Medicaid reimbursement for CHW services on wages and turnover. Methods. A staggered difference-in-differences design was used to compare CHWs in states with and without CHW certification or CHW Medicaid reimbursement policies. Data were derived from the 2010 to 2021 Current Population Survey in the United States. Results. CHW wages increased by $2.42 more per hour in states with certification programs than in states without programs (P = .04). Also, hourly wages increased more among White workers, men, and part-time workers (P = .04). Wages increased by $14.46 in the state with the earliest CHW certification program adoption (P < .01). Neither of the policies assessed had an effect on occupational turnover. Conclusions. CHW wages are higher in states with certification programs. However, wage gaps exist between Whites and non-Whites and between men and women. Public Health Implications. Federal, state, and employer-based strategies are needed to establish and sustain effective CHW programs to meet the needs of communities experiencing health and access disparities. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print August 11, 2022:e1–e9. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.306965 )

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The Use of Community Health Workers in Community Health Centers

Abstract: Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Cited by 2 publications

References 24 publications

Community health workers' perspectives on integrating into school settings to support student health

Community health workers' perspectives on integrating into school settings to support student health

Hourly Wages and Turnover of Community Health Workers According to US State Certification Policy and Medicaid Reimbursement, 2010–2021

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