Do you want to avoid the hassle of traveling with your printed poster? IAPHS2026 is pleased to make poster printing available to you through our supplier PosterSessionOnline. Your poster will be professionally reviewed, printed and shipped directly to Portland and you will be able to pick it up from the Poster desk. Click here to learn more.
Primary Submission Category: Interventions/Programs
Evaluating implementation of a statewide community health worker training program in Arizona using the RE-AIM Framework
Authors: Binoli Herath, Lindsey Burns, Jen Jondac, Alicia Hernandez, Claire Reynolds, Gilbert Arvizu, Mindy L. McEntee,
Presenting Author: Binoli Herath*
Introduction and Objectives: Community Health Workers (CHWs) play a key role in advancing health equity and chronic disease prevention, particularly in medically underserved communities. In Arizona, policies such as voluntary CHW certification and Medicaid reimbursement aim to support a sustainable CHW workforce. Funded by Health Resources & Services Administration, Arizona State University launched the CHW Training Program (ASU CHW-TP) in 2023 to recruit, train, and place CHWs statewide. This paper evaluates the program’s reach, effectiveness, and adoption and identifies support for CHW workforce sustainability.
Methods: Secondary analysis of administrative records, trainee tracking, and feedback surveys evaluated the ASU CHW-TP using Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM). Reach was assessed by number and characteristics of trainees; effectiveness by completion of curriculum and field placements; and adoption by the number of community partnerships and placement opportunities.
Results: A total of 710 applications were received after removing duplicates and incomplete submissions; 297 were eligible and 277 admitted. Participants represented diverse racial/ethnic groups: Black/African American (37%), Hispanic/Latino (32%), Non-Hispanic White (24%), AIAN (11%), and Asian (3%). Many trainees came from disadvantaged backgrounds (48% economically and 36% environmentally). Overall, 206 (74%) completed the curriculum and 40 (14%) dropped out. Eighty-one trainees (29%) completed field placements. The program established 57 partnerships (34%) out of 167 organizations approached. In total, 102 trainees (37%) completed both curriculum and placements and were eligible for CHW certification.
Conclusions: The ASU CHW-TP trained a diverse CHW cohort but faced barriers including competing demands, technical challenges, limited placements, and low compensation. Improving work conditions, leadership support, fair wages, and certification fee subsidies may strengthen CHW workforce sustainability in Arizona.