Community health workers (CHWs) are trusted community partners with deep ties to the communities they serve. These individuals provide services — such as coaching, navigation of health and social services, and social support — that are supported by robust evidence and can lead to improved health outcomes, including improved chronic condition management, increased engagement in care, and reduced acute care utilization.

In recent years, federal and state funding streams associated with the COVID-19 public health emergency spurred the hiring, training, and deployment of the CHW workforce across the country. Yet, COVID-19-related funding is coming to an end and policymakers and CHW champions are seeking more sustainable mechanisms for financing CHW programs.

State and territorial public health agencies can play a role in developing new CHW payment structures in a way that centers CHW voice and compensates CHWs for their deep expertise. This brief provides action steps for public health agencies to help guide sustainable CHW program financing, including by: (1) establishing a CHW strategy and coordinated messaging about CHW sustainability; (2) influencing payers’ policy design and monitoring implementation; (3) building CHW employer capacity to braid and layer CHW funding; and (4) designing and refining CHW training and certification programs to align with financing opportunities.

See also a companion blog post that outlines three key strategies for public health agencies to support the CHW workforce. The brief and blog post were developed in partnership by the Center for Health Care Strategies and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials through support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.