Best Practices Guidelines in Implementing and Evaluating CHW Programs in Health Care Settings Jamie Campbell, MPH Sinai Urban Health Institute CHWs in Illinois: Recognizing and Sustaining the Workforce April 21, 2014

2 Outline Background –Sinai Urban Health Institute –Community Health Worker (CHW) Research and Evaluation Project Best Practice Guidelines for Implementing and Evaluating Community Health Worker Programs in Health Care Settings Concluding remarks

Founded in 2000, SUHI is a community-based research institute that is part of the Sinai Health System Develops and implements effective approaches that improve the health of urban communities Serves as a focal point for the evidence-based examination of community health status, the effectiveness of interventions, and methods of improving health care delivery A lead institute in documenting and addressing health disparities in Chicago Implementing the CHW model for 13 years 3 Sinai Urban Health Institute

In 2010, approached by the Fry Foundation to explore CHW roles and models in healthcare Noticed a growing utilization of CHWs in health care settings Recognized gaps in the knowledge-base of the field concerning best practices 4 CHW Research and Evaluation Project ( )

Methods Conducted a comprehensive literature review on CHWs Networked with major CHW groups throughout the Illinois and the U.S. –The American Public Health Association CHW Section –The Chicago CHW Local Network –Health & Medicine Policy Research Group –The CHW Alliance of Conducted formal and informal interviews with stakeholders in the field Surveyed local health care agencies currently implementing the CHW model within their system 5

16 CHW Model Quadrant

2 Outline Background –Sinai Urban Health Institute –Community Health Worker (CHW) Research and Evaluation Project Best Practice Guidelines for Implementing and Evaluating Community Health Worker Programs in Health Care Settings Concluding remarks

13 Purpose and Objective: Blue print for CHW program implementation or revising practices Aids programs wanting to more critically examine CHW system processes and program outcomes Grounded in evidence-based science This project is supported by the Lloyd A Fry Foundation

1.An Extensive Review of Available Published Professional Literature 2.Evidence from the CHW National Workforce Study (2007) National snapshot; Comparison data for #3 3.Findings from the CHW in Chicago Health Care Setting Survey (2011) Local snapshot; Specific to health care 4.Experience from SUHI’s CHW programs Hospital and community-based programs 5. Additional perspectives from local and national CHW employers, researchers, and CHWs themselves Sources of Background Information

Innovative approaches to CHW hiring, training, and performance evaluation; Supervision challenges and strategies for success; Providing a positive organizational climate to facilitate CHW integration; Other effective elements of program design; and Program evaluation, including CHW process and outcome measures. Topics Included 14

CHW Best Practice Guidelines Five Summary of Evidence Sections 1. CHW Hiring 2. CHW Training 3. CHW Supervision 4. CHW Integration into Health Care Systems 5. Evaluating CHW Programs and Interventions 15

Dissemination Efforts to distribute the CHW Best Practices report and inform health agencies about the CHW model –Conferences –Presentations –Workshops Working with local groups, such as –Chicago CHW Local Network –Health & Medicine Policy Research Group –Illinois Health Care Taskforce Working Group 3 12

2 Outline Background –Sinai Urban Health Institute –Community Health Worker (CHW) Research and Evaluation Project Best Practice Guidelines for Implementing and Evaluating Community Health Worker Programs in Health Care Settings Concluding remarks

Summary CHWs play a role in reducing health disparities Hiring CHWs strengthens communities by providing jobs CHWs are a community resource CHWs must be a part of the process and are integral to the conversation 14

Reports available at and by mail: 15 Questions Jamie Campbell, MPH Phone: Melissa Gutierrez Kapheim, MS