Arizona Community Health Worker Workforce Coalition: History, Process, and Outcomes

The community health worker (CHW) movement has deep roots in Arizona, beginning in the 1960s with Community Health Representatives in tribal communities and the Promotora movement beginning in the 1980s.  In 1998, the University of Arizona conducted the first national study of CHWs and provided a national description of the workforce including core roles and competencies and subsequent research from 1999 forward has provided a strong evidence base for the effectiveness of CHWs in chronic disease and community advocacy to reduce health disparities.  While for over a decade the Arizona Community Health Outreach Workers Network (AZCHOW), the Red de Promotoras and the HOPE and HEART Networks have connected CHWs throughout the state.  Despite this long history, no one person, agency or network seems to have found “the magic pill” to ensure continuity of programs or long-term sustainability of this vital workforce in our state.  In April 2013 in direct response to these issues and emerging policy opportunities for the profession, the Arizona Community Health Worker Workforce Coalition was formed. The Coalition is comprised of CHW professional networks, the University of Arizona, State and Local Health Departments, Community Health Centers, Area Health Education Centers and the Arizona Association of Public Health aimed at supporting the sustainability of the workforce. This presentation will track the history and formation of the Coalition; the process, and policy outcomes of its four multi-stakeholder work groups focused on workforce development, occupational definitions, data and creditability, and sustainable financing;  and conclude with five recommendations for CHW sustainability.