Original Articles

Building a Framework for Community Health Worker Skills Proficiency Assessment to Support Ongoing Professional Development

Allen, Caitlin G. MPH; Brownstein, J. Nell PhD; Cole, Maria MSSW, MPH; Hirsch, Gail MEd; Williamson, Susie MM, MA, BA; Rosenthal, E. Lee PhD, MS, MPH

Author Information

Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia (Ms Allen), Community Health Worker Core Consensus Project, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, Texas (Dr Brownstein); Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation, Dallas, Texas (Ms Cole); Massachusetts Office of CHWs, Belmont, Massachusetts (Ms Hirsch); Spectrum Health Hospital Systems, Grand Rapids, Michigan (Ms Williamson); Community Health Worker Core Consensus Project, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas (Dr Rosenthal).

Correspondence: Caitlin G. Allen, MPH, Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, 1518 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 ([email protected]).

The authors thank their dedicated team of advisors for their thoughtful approach to developing this toolkit and commitment to advancing the CHW field—Timothy Berthold, Leslie Hargrove, Qadrriyyah McKinnis, Gail McCray, and Keara Rodela.This study was funded by Santofi Corporation: grant #26066935.The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Journal of Ambulatory Care Management 41(4):p 298-307, October/December 2018. | DOI: 10.1097/JAC.0000000000000251

Abstract

Although community health workers (CHWs) continue to gain credibility and recognition in the health care and public health sectors, there is still a need to expand workforce identity and development efforts, including identifying best practices for assessing CHW skill proficiencies. During this qualitative study, we interviewed 32 CHWs, trainers, and supervisors to understand current practice, perspectives, and perceived importance in assessing CHW skills and guiding principles for CHW skill assessment. Results from these interviews can be used to inform CHW workforce development to enhance efforts among those who are actively building CHW programs or who are considering improvements in strategies to assess CHW skill proficiencies.