The Non-Traditional Health Worker (NTHW) Subcommittee embarked on a process to develop recommendations on core competencies and education and training requirements for NTHWs, as well as to advise on additional concepts regarding the role of NTHWs. Briefly, the Subcommittee defined the scope of work under the following four roles: Outreach and … [Read more...] about The Role of Non-Traditional Health Workers in Oregon’s Health Care System
Policy
Community Health Workers and Their Value to Social Work
Community health workers (CHWs) play a vital and unique role in linking diverse and underserved populations to health and social service systems. Despite their effectiveness, as documented by empirical studies across various disciplines including public health, nursing, and biomedicine, the value and potential role of CHWs in the social work practice and research literature has … [Read more...] about Community Health Workers and Their Value to Social Work
Community Health Worker (CHW) Certification and Training: A National Survey of Regionally and State-Based Programs
Increased utilization of community health workers (CHWs) in the U.S. is coupled with a growing interest in standardized training of, and formal credentialing requirements for, CHWs on the part of state legislatures and federal agencies. The purpose of this qualitative study is to provide a national overview of state policy and state involvement in more formal training and … [Read more...] about Community Health Worker (CHW) Certification and Training: A National Survey of Regionally and State-Based Programs
Return on Investment From Employment of Community Health Workers
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are gaining acceptance in the US health care system, but have been subject to challenges as to their “cost-effectiveness.” This situation is shifting, with a growing body of published evidence as to the effectiveness of CHWs, but much of the evidence of cost savings from employing CHWs is still unpublished. Return on investment analysis for CHWs … [Read more...] about Return on Investment From Employment of Community Health Workers
Ethiopia’s Health Extension Program: Improving Health through Community Involvement
The Health Extension Program is one of the most innovative community-based health programs in Ethiopia. It is based on the assumption that access to and quality of primary health care in rural communities can be improved through transfer of health knowledge and skills to households. Since it became operational in 2004–2005, the Program has had a tangible effect on the thinking … [Read more...] about Ethiopia’s Health Extension Program: Improving Health through Community Involvement