CHWs as policymakers on Oregon's Traditional Health Worker Commission

Oregon has long been a leader in health care reform and the CHW field. Oregon’s healthcare transformation process has included the establishment of Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs) throughout the state, and a highlighted role of CHWs within these CCOs. Consequently, Oregon has created a CHW certification process and has secured Medicaid reimbursement for CHW services.

As policies and standards begun to be discussed regarding CHWs, CHW leaders and advocates determined that CHW representation in these discussions was inadequate. In response to this, in 2013, ORCHWA and the Oregon Latino Health Coalition passed legislation to create the Traditional Health Workers Commission. This Commission is now the primary policymaking body for traditional health workers (which include CHWs and other lay health professions such as peer support specialists, doulas, etc).  The legislation mandates that workers themselves should be in the majority of the Commission seats. In 2014, 11 ORCHWA members were appointed to the Commission and currently support the state to determine certification regulation, promote workforce development, and respond to issues regarding the full integration of this workforce into Oregon’s healthcare system.

Presenters, including a Commission member, will discuss the challenges and successes that have emerged from this policymaking model, and ORCHWA’s goal to create space for meaningful representation of CHWs in CHW policymaking. Additionally, presenters will identify ORCHWA’s strategies to support CHW leaders in policymaking including providing tools and training, and drawing out the knowledge, skills, and expertise that these CHW leaders are bringing to the policy table.