State Community Health Worker Policies

Authors: National Academy for State Health Policy

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 overview of how states define, train, certify, and fund CHWs, highlighting evolving strategies to strengthen this workforce and improve community health.