HPAC Scholar's Day 2019 CHW_Assessment_Key_Findings | Page 46

more defined scope of practice for CHWs in
Ohio. The defined focus of current CHW work
in Ohio found from this assessment may be
a first step at that definition. Since current
CHW practice aligns with the C3 Project
defined roles of a CHW, Ohio should consider
using these roles as a template to clearly
define scope of practice for CHWs in Ohio
(Sabo et al., 2017).
Assessment Conclusion
It is clear that both certified and non-certified
CHWs play a vital role in addressing both
chronic disease and behavioral health issues
in Ohio among other conditions and in a
variety of populations and settings. Both
certified and non-certified CHWs have a place
in Ohio’s health care system and are greatly
valued by employers. Despite the many
positive aspects of this profession in Ohio,
improvements can be made to CHW training,
certification, employment, utilization, and
funding as discussed above to better sustain
and advance the profession in Ohio leading
to better population health outcomes for all
Ohioans.
Based on the results of this assessment it
seems that certification for CHWs would
be a pathway to achieve a clearly defined
scope of practice, professional identity
through potential title protection, credibility
and recognition from other health care
providers and the community, potential
reimbursement from insurance, and a core,
standardized training desired by CHWs in
Ohio. However, the assessment also revealed
that the current certification structure is
not accessible to many non-certified CHWs
in Ohio. The assessment team therefore
recommends that Ohio adopt a tiered
certification structure where different levels
of certification exist starting with a pre-
certification level and advancing through
other levels of certification based on hours
of training, level of education, experience,
and/or specialization attained (i.e., dual
certification in the CDSMP). This model will
allow for CHWs to maintain one identity
with possible title protection, establish core
education for all practicing CHWs, allow for
career advancement within the profession
as desired by many CHWs, inform employers
and healthcare providers about the type of
training and educational background that
a particular CHW has, and remove barriers
for those who cannot achieve the traditional
certification by reducing the costs associated
and training requirements.
In order to achieve any meaningful
change to the identified CHW training,
certification, employment, utilization, and
funding needs in Ohio, there needs to be
one unifying organization that can act as
the catalyst for change and work with the
various stakeholders across the state. The
assessment team believes that OCHWA is in
the prime position to be able to implement
change for the CHW profession in Ohio.
However, as found in the assessment, the
association needs to be strengthened and
supported by a lead partner in order to have
the infrastructure necessary to become a
powerful change agent for CHWs in Ohio.
This will be the first necessary next step to
achieve the desired improvements to CHW
practice and utilization in Ohio. Once OCWHA
is strengthened, the next priority steps to
address according to CHWs are training for
health care providers and employers on the
role of the CHW and improved training and
continuing education for all CHWs in Ohio.
Discussion of Assessment Findings
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