Community Health Worker Certificate Program Evaluation

Abstract

Racial and ethnic minorities in the United States and in Hawaiʻi experience greater mortality and morbidity than non-minorities from many chronic conditions, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011; Centers for Disease Control Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, 2015; Pobutsky, Bradbury, & Wong Tomiyasu, 2011). One approach to combating health disparities involves the use of Community Health Workers (CHWs). Valued for their strong connection to the communities they serve, CHWs effectively bridge the gap between providers and patients of differing ethnic and cultural backgrounds to improve access to and quality of health care, especially for underserved minorities. To build CHW training capacity for the State of Hawaiʻi, the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College (UHMC) developed the CHW Certificate Program (UHMC-CHW), and a comprehensive evaluation was completed to determine its effectiveness in providing core competency training for CHWs. This disseration was comprised of three studies. Study 1 measured the effectiveness of the UHMC-CHW courses to teach students the CHW core competencies and improve student confidence in applying these competencies in the field. Overall, students gained knowledge and confidence in CHW core competencies and were satisfied with the courses in meeting their training needs. Study 2 used qualitative methods to collect CHW employer perspectives on the effectiveness of the UHMC-CHW in preparing new and incumbent CHWs for the workforce in Hawaiʻi. Employers reported student participation in the program improved self-confidence and performance in the field. Study 3 administered a survey to measure the impact of the UHMC-CHW on the careers of certificate completers. Graduates reported employment and wage gains, improvements in the core CHW skills, satisfaction in the program, and a desire to continue their education. Taken together, findings confirm the program was successful in teaching students the core CHW skills, building confidence in applying those skills, and ultimately improving performance in the field. The program positively impacted the careers of graduates. Results provide validation for the effectiveness of for the UHMC-CHW to provide core competency training for Hawai‘i’s CHWs.