HPAC Scholar's Day 2019 CHW_Assessment_Key_Findings | Page 37

Table 5. CHW survey respondent views on CHW certification
Views on Certification
n=574* Percentage
439 76.5%
299 52.1%
297 51.7%
364 63.4%
89 15.5%
Being a certified CHW has resulted in higher pay 115 20.0%
I do not agree with the statements above 53 9.2%
Other 39 6.8%
Being a certified CHW better equips me to serve my
community and make a difference in the community I
serve
Being a certified CHW increases the respect and value
shown to me by my community
Being a certified CHW increases my self-confidence as a
CHW
Being a certified CHW gives value to this profession (other
professionals acknowledge my work as a CHW)
Being a certified CHW has resulted in a promotion at
work
*Respondents checked more than one response
Certification
Similar to findings from the key informant
interviews and focus groups, there again are
barriers to certification, which include the
cost and location of trainings and confusion
on the process of how to get certified and
how to maintain certification. It was also
found in these surveys that many CHWs
did not even know certification in Ohio
existed. Many CHWs do not feel certification
is necessary for several different reasons
which include: it does not result in higher
pay (in fact many non-certified CHWs who
are employed by the managed care plans
earn higher wages than certified CHWs),
it is irrelevant because their employers
do not require certification, and it is not
currently required to practice in Ohio as a
CHW. A few CHWs also seemed to be under
the impression that only nurses can get
certified as a CHW because certification
occurs through OBN. However, despite the
barriers to certification, both certified and
non-certified CHWs held positive attitudes
towards certification (Table 5).
Funding
Finally, other findings from these surveys,
which align with findings from the key
informant interviews and the focus groups,
are that CHWs feel underpaid and there is
concern for funding sustainability. Again, it
was found that most CHWs are grant funded
which is not sustainable. Additionally,
certification does not result in higher pay
in most cases from these respondents.
Funding uncertainty was the greatest
concern of employers. Although when asked
how their organizations support the long-
term sustainability of CHWs, the employer
respondents were the least involved in
building the business case for CHWs and
contracting with health plans.
Surveys
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