Supervision Strategies and Community Health Worker Effectiveness in Health Care Settings

Authors: Orson Brown, Shreya Kangovi, Noelle Wiggins, and Carla S. Alvarado

This discussion paper argues that while the value of CHWs in providing cost effective care in the United States is recognized, improved human resources management practices are needed to strengthen the quality and performance of CHW programs. The authors discuss essential elements of CHW recruitment and training, but also the need for supportive supervision. They note that support supervision focuses less on the hierarchical relationships on which US healthcare tends to rely and require investment of resources to support processes that recognize the important voice and opinions CHWs have about their work and prepares supervisors who understand CHW roles and the needs of their communities to coach and mentor CHWs effectively.