Formerly incarcerated individuals face serious health challenges, worsened by COVID-19. To help, community health workers with similar experiences launched a California reentry health care hotline. From June 2020 to June 2023, it assisted 1,276 people in accessing medical care after release. This peer-led initiative offers valuable insights for states using Medicaid waivers to … [Read more...] about A Novel Reentry Hotline Led by Community Health Workers to Address the Health Needs of People Returning From Incarceration: Transitions Clinic Network, California, June 2020‒June 2023
North America (U.S. and Canada)
Community Health Worker-Led Intervention to Increase Hepatitis D Virus Screening among Immigrants in the Metropolitan-DC Area
Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a serious infection that affects people with hepatitis B (HBV), increasing their risk of liver cancer. However, HDV screening is not common, especially among immigrant communities in Metropolitan-DC, where HBV rates are high. The Health Betterment Initiative (HBI) trained community health workers (CHWs) to educate immigrants about HDV and … [Read more...] about Community Health Worker-Led Intervention to Increase Hepatitis D Virus Screening among Immigrants in the Metropolitan-DC Area
State Community Health Worker Policies
Community health workers (CHWs) played a vital role during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in underserved communities. Their impact has led states to explore long-term partnerships and funding solutions to sustain their work. Many states are now authorizing Medicaid reimbursement and using multiple funding sources to support CHW services. This NASHP’s research provides an … [Read more...] about State Community Health Worker Policies
Trends in State Policies That Support the Community Health Worker Workforce
States are working to sustain and expand the community health worker (CHW) workforce as federal COVID-19 funding ends. Many are exploring long-term financing solutions, particularly through Medicaid, to ensure continued access to CHW services. Policymakers are collaborating with CHWs and stakeholders to strengthen training, certification, and funding strategies. This NASHP’s … [Read more...] about Trends in State Policies That Support the Community Health Worker Workforce
Updates and FAQs: Developing and Implementing a Medicaid State Plan Amendment to Authorize Community Health Worker Reimbursement
Many states have used federal COVID-19 grants to expand community health worker (CHW) programs, recognizing their vital role in connecting communities to health and social services. With these grants ending, states are turning to Medicaid for sustainable funding. Several states have received federal approval to reimburse CHW services through Medicaid State Plan Amendments … [Read more...] about Updates and FAQs: Developing and Implementing a Medicaid State Plan Amendment to Authorize Community Health Worker Reimbursement