We have information, now what? Next steps for evaluating CHW certification in Texas

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Promotora/Community Health Worker Training and Certification Program resulted from Senate Bill 1051 (77th Texas Legislative Sessions), which established and operated a training and certification program for promotores/CHWs, instructors, and sponsoring institutions/training programs in 2001. Prior to 2015, the program collected data related to certification and renewal rates, curricula, and initial certification and continuing education courses.  To attempt to answer the question of whether or not certification of CHWs makes a difference in terms of perceived benefits, employment, salary, etc., the program office—in coordination with the State CHW Advisory Committee—developed and implemented an online, voluntary evaluation that CHWs can choose to complete during their recertification application process every two years. This presentation will: 1) highlight CHWs’ perspectives on the benefit of CHW certification (both qualitative and quantitative data); 2) discuss lessons learned to date in regards to collecting this type of data; and 3) facilitate a dialogue with the audience about future directions and need in terms of the benefits or negative aspects of CHW certification. This presentation will build on information presented on CHW certification in Texas and past evaluation data collected, description of the new evaluation tool and implementation process, and the preliminary findings from the new evaluation tool. We hope to have a CHW give this part of the presentation.