CHW Association

Louisiana Community Health Outreach Network

Credentialing Council

LA CHW Workforce Coalition has been reviewing and recognizing standardized CHW core competency training programs, but a CHW Workforce Board will be taking over Fall 2023.

Credentialing Council TypeStart of CertificationTotal CHWs CertifiedAverage Certifications per YearLegislation Supporting CertificationState operatedSeptember 2021N/AN/ANone

Training

Guiding Competencies

Training is designed to align with C3 competencies but varies between sites.

Requirements

Facilitated HoursFacilitated FormatPracticum HoursPracticum FormatCosts/TuitionMandatory80No more than 25% (20 hours) online0N/A$650 application fee*No

*Fee is for programs to be reviewed and approved. Individual training sites determine the fees they charge CHWs. State guidance advises programs to be conscious of CHW incomes and making sure that fees are CHW self-pay and not cost-prohibitive.

Eligibility

AgeResidency StatusMinimum EducationExperienceBackground CheckNoneNoneNoneNoneNone

Screen for Fit

Students must provide a personal statement addressing why they are interested in becoming a CHW in an oral or written format. Students entering a training program independent of an organization employing CHWs must also provide a letter of recommendation from someone who can comment on their relationship with the community.

Training Sites

Community-based organizations, clinics/hospitals, colleges/universities/schools, faith-based organizations, state agencies, non-profit organizations, local health departments

Tracks

None

Specialization

LA CHW Workforce Board is "not currently reviewing training programs related to specific health conditions (e.g., chronic disease, HIV) or specific job duties that CHW employers may require".

Instructor Credentials

At least two trainers are required at each training site. Program applications require information on the qualifications of the potential trainer(s), including their prior experience with working as a CHW, working with CHWs, and/or training CHWs. This could include a brief description of relevant experience or a resume for each trainer. Any trainer who has not worked as a CHW must have a CHW co-trainer with at least two to three years of experience working as a CHW.

Legacy

None

Examination

Skills-based assessments such as role play activities must be included. Assessments may not be exclusively written. Lengthy final exams are discouraged. Students must be able to convey a personal statement about why they wish to be a CHW before they receive certificate of completion from a training program. Personal statements may be written or audio or visual recordings.

Cost

Costs from training/examination varies by training site.

Recertification

DocumentationFrequencyCostDocumentation of how, if at all, the training program has changed. Sent to LA CHW Workforce Coalition.Every three yearsN/A

Reciprocity Policy

Currently, Medicaid policy says that CHWs must have either 3000 hours of documented CHW experience or be trained through a program recognized by the coalition. There is no stipulation about whether the 3000 hours had to be in Louisiana so it is possible that someone with experience in another state could apply that in LA. The new workforce board could theoretically consider the issue of recognizing credentials from other states.

Special thanks for contributions from Ashley Wennerstrom. See the bottom of the webpage for a full reference list. Last updated November 2023.