A collaboratory approach to implementing a standardized community health worker certification program in Mississippi

Introduction/Background: Community health workers (CHWs) have an important role in strategies to reduce and eliminate health disparities. The specific aims of this project are to coordinate a statewide effort to (1) standardize the certification of CHWs in the state of Mississippi; (2) establish a meaningful CHW labor market; and (3) establish skills, standards, and accessible training resources. Methodology: The following strategies were utilized: (1) collaboration with state and local stakeholders to identify existing CHW programs to participate in the planning process; (2) identification and development of a core curriculum for CHWs in the state of Mississippi based on evidence-based models used in other states; and (3) development and implementation of certification standards for CHW programs in the state. Results: The project yielded the following results: (1) collaboration with partners throughout the state of Mississippi to develop a standardized system for training and certifying CHWs and (2) development of policies to recognize CHWs as an important part of a multidisciplinary health care team to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities among disparate populations in Mississippi; and (3) implementation of CHWs are part of a multidisciplinary health care team. Discussion/Significance: Establishing a standardized method of certifying CHW's will result in improving the quality of care and health outcomes among vulnerable populations in Mississippi. CHWs will contribute significant improvements in access to and continuity of care, screening and other health-related behaviors, and adherence to treatment for control of various conditions and diseases, as well as reduce health care costs for the state.