About the Illinois CHW Certification Program
Community Health Worker Certification and Reimbursement Act
In 2021, Illinois passed the Community Health Worker Certification and Reimbursement Act (Public Act 102-4). The law called for the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to create a state certification program to certify CHWs and CHW training programs. The goal was to help make sure CHWs receive high-quality- basic and ongoing training. The law also called for the Illinois Medicaid program to pay for services provided by certified CHWs. CHW employers enrolled in the Medicaid program can bill for these services.
CHW Advisory Board Act
In 2014, Illinois passed a law to help support and grow the community health worker (CHW) workforce, called the CHW Advisory Board Act (Public Act 098-0796). This law created the first Illinois CHW Advisory Board. This advisory board included CHW experts and allies. They produced a report with 25 recommendations to advance the CHW workforce. They proposed the creation of a voluntary CHW certification program that included state funding for CHW services. [You can find the report here: Community Health Workers in Illinois -- A Value-Driven Solution for Population Health, 2016.]
About Community Health Workers
History
Community health workers (CHWs) are part of a movement that works to improve the health of communities. Many CHW programs around the world started because not everyone has the same access to health care. For many years, the World Health Organization (WHO) has promoted the idea that communities must be involved in primary health care and that CHWs are one of the best strategies for community participation. Inspired by this idea, more countries started CHW programs, as well as states in the U.S. These programs are based on the motivation of neighbors helping neighbors gain more control over their health and lives.
Community Health Workers in Illinois
For many years, community health workers (CHWs) in Illinois have helped people stay healthy and get the care they need. They work in cities, small towns, and with new immigrants, farmworkers, and others who need extra support to stay healthy. Many CHWs were paid through short-term programs, and some worked as volunteers.
Definition of a Community Health Worker
Illinois adopted the American Public Health Association's definition of a community health worker: “A CHW is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served.
This trusting relationship enables the worker to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery.
A community health worker also builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support, and advocacy.”
CHWs share their value by “being at the table.” They talk with other health and social services professionals about what they know, and only they know, because of their insight and knowledge about the community.
Community Health Workers Review Board
The CHW Certification and Reimbursement Act created a CHW Certification Program Review Board. The review board, which first met in 2022, gives program advice to IDPH. Members include CHWs, CHW clients, CHW employers, CHW training programs, community members, state lawmakers, and other government leaders. The review oard is co-chaired by a leader of a statewide association of CHWs and an IDPH leader. In collaboration with the review board, IDPH undertook several projects to inform the development of the rules. You can find the project reports here:
