Building and Sustaining Community Health Worker Programs in California — A Resource Center

Published

Tools to help California managed care plans, providers, and community-based organizations deliver community health worker, promotor, and representative (CHW/P/R) services funded through Medi-Cal.

Community health workers, promotores, and community health representatives (CHW/P/Rs) deliver culturally responsive, person-centered, and evidence-based services that connect health and social care — helping people navigate systems, access services, and address unmet needs. 

As Medi-Cal managed care plans and community providers expand access to CHW/P/R services, they need practical resources to build, manage, and sustain this workforce. This resource center curates tools, research, and guidance to support the design, implementation, and long-term sustainability of CHW/P/R programs. Use the filters below to explore resources by topic. To suggest a resource for inclusion, complete the resource center content submission form.

See also a glossary of key terms used throughout the resource center. More resources about the CHW/P/R workforce can be found on the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF) website.

Acknowledgments

With support from CHCF, the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) curated topics and reviewed content for this resource center. CHCF and CHCS are grateful to the organizations whose work is featured here. Learn more

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Report

Integrating CHWs on Quality Improvement Teams: Lessons from the Field

Shares lessons to help employers ensure CHWs are meaningful participants on quality improvement teams.

Health Leads•
Tool

What Works Toolkit Series

Offers toolkits for CHW/P/Rs services that improve outcomes for Native Americans and Alaska Natives, people experiencing homelessness, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, and people in re-entry following incarceration.

National Association of Community Health Workers•
Tool

Understanding and Integrating CHWs into Healthcare Settings

Offers tools, examples, and tested strategies to help health systems and community organizations integrate CHWs into health care settings. A valid email address is needed to receive the toolkit.

Center for Community Health Alignment•
Report

Building Successful Managed Care Programs with CHWs’ Expertise

Offers guidance to help managed care organizations, Medicaid agencies, providers, community-based organizations, and funders incorporate CHW expertise in the design, implementation, and quality improvement of CHW programs.

Center for Health Care Strategies•
Tool

CHW Employee Performance Evaluation Form

Shares a template for supervisors to give feedback to CHWs, recognize strengths, and suggest improvements. A free account is needed to access this resource.

CHW Learning Hub•
Tool

CHW Performance Appraisals Template

Provides a performance appraisal template designed for supervisors to evaluate CHWs across key areas, including community engagement, education, documentation, team collaboration, leadership, and cultural humility. A free account is needed to access this resource.

CHW Learning Hub•
Tool

CHW Assessment Toolkit: A Framework for Assessing Skills Proficiency and Fostering Professional Development

Offers key tenets for assessing CHW skills, along with case studies and examples, and various templates that may help in developing a CHW program’s assessment.

National Council on CHW Core Consensus•
Tool

Evaluation Toolkit for CHW Supervisors

Includes practical evaluation prompts, performance criteria, and a Performance Improvement Plan template to guide supervisors in providing constructive feedback and setting clear expectations. A free account is needed to access this resource.

CHW Learning Hub•
Report

Supervision Strategies and CHW Effectiveness in Health Care Settings

Describes best practices for supportive supervision of CHW/P/Rs, including supervisor roles and duties and supportive supervisor qualities and skills.

National Academy of Medicine•
Tool

CHW Supervisor Training and Support Guide

Shares guidance on what training for CHW/P/R supervising providers can look like, including methods, structure, and impact of effective supervision.

CHWTraining•