Rosenthal EL, Menking P, St. John J, Fox D, Holderby-Fox LR, Redondo F, Hirsch G, Lee L, Brownstein JN, Allen C, Haywood C, Ortiz Miller J, Ibarra J, Cole M, Huxley L, Palmer C, Masoud S, Uriarte J, Rush CH. The National Council on CHW Core Consensus (C3) Standards Reports and Website. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso. 2014-2024. https://www.C3Council.org/
Community Health Workers
What is a Community Health Worker?
A community health worker 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.
HELLO
MY NAME IS
Care Coordinator
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MY NAME IS
Health Representative
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MY NAME IS
Outreach Worker
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MY NAME IS
Health Educator
HELLO
MY NAME IS
Health Advisor
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MY NAME IS
Health Promoter
HELLO
MY NAME IS
Family Service Worker
HELLO
MY NAME IS
Promotor(a) de Salud
HELLO
MY NAME IS
Outreach Specialist
HELLO
MY NAME IS
Patient Navigator
- Community Care Coordinator
- Community Health Representative
- Community Outreach Worker
- Community Health Educator
- Community Health Advisor
- Community Health Promoter
- Family Service Worker
- Peer Counselor
- Promotor(a) de Salud
- Outreach Specialist
CHWs may function differently in various settings across the state; it is important to remember there is no “one-size fits all model.” 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.
Community health workers empower individuals and communities by linking them to vital health and social services, navigating both local and state systems with care and clarity.
Do CHWs have to be certified to work in Oklahoma?
No, CHW certification in Oklahoma is voluntary. In 2025, the Oklahoma legislature created a framework for CHW certification. However, the law clearly states that certification is not required to work as a CHW in Oklahoma.
Below is an all-inclusive list of roles and tasks which an occupation includes in its scope of work. The exact mix of these roles and tasks for any one individual will vary based on the needs of those served and host organizations.
- Cultural mediation among individuals, communities and health and social service systems.
- Providing culturally appropriate health education and information.
- Care coordination, case management and system navigation.
- Providing coaching and social support.
- Advocating for individuals and communities.
- Building individual and community capacity.
- Providing direct service.
- Implementing individual and community assessments.
- Conducting outreach.
- Participating in evaluation and research.
Use the following skills to assess how CHW role and skills linked to CHW trainings, practice, and/or policies align with the Community Health Worker Core Consensus Project.
Communication Skills
a. Ability to use language confidently
b. Ability to use language in ways that engage and motivate
c. Ability to communicate using plain and clear language
d. Ability to communicate with empathy
e. Ability to listen actively
f. Ability to prepare written communication including electronic communication (e.g., email, telecommunication device for the deaf)
g. Ability to document work
h. Ability to communicate with the community served (may not be fluent in language of all communities served)
Interpersonal and Relationship-Building Skills
a. Ability to provide coaching and social support
b. Ability to conduct self-management coaching
c. Ability to use interviewing techniques (e.g. motivational interviewing)
d. Ability to work as a team member
e. Ability to manage conflict
f. Ability to practice cultural humility
Service Coordination and Navigation Skills
a. Ability to coordinate care (including identifying and accessing resources and overcoming barriers)
b. Ability to make appropriate referrals
c. Ability to facilitate development of an individual and/or group action plan and goal attainment
d. Ability to coordinate CHW activities with clinical and other community services e. Ability to follow-up and track care and referral outcomes
Capacity Building Skills
a. Ability to help others identify goals and develop to their fullest potential
b. Ability to work in ways that increase individual and community empowerment
c. Ability to network, build community connections, and build coalitions
d. Ability to teach self-advocacy skills
e. Ability to conduct community organizing
Advocacy Skills
a. Ability to contribute to policy development
b. Ability to advocate for policy change
c. Ability to speak up for individuals and communities
Education and Facilitation Skills
a. Ability to use empowering and learner-centered teaching strategies
b. Ability to use a range of appropriate and effective educational techniques
c. Ability to facilitate group discussions and decision-making
d. Ability to plan and conduct classes and presentations for a variety of groups
e. Ability to seek out appropriate information and respond to questions about pertinent topics
f. Ability to find and share requested information
g. Ability to collaborate with other educators
h. Ability to collect and use information from and with community members
Individual and Community Assessment Skills*
a. Ability to participate in individual assessment through observation and active inquiry
b. Ability to participate in community assessment through observation and active inquiry
Outreach Skills*
a. Ability to conduct case-finding, recruitment and follow-up
b. Ability to prepare and disseminate materials
c. Ability to build and maintain a current resource inventory
Professional Skills and Conduct
a. Ability to set goals and to develop and follow a work plan
b. Ability to balance priorities and to manage time
c. Ability to apply critical thinking techniques and problem solving
d. Ability to use pertinent technology
e. Ability to pursue continuing education and lifelong learning opportunities
f. Ability to maximize personal safety while working in community and/or clinical settings
g. Ability to observe ethical and legal standards (e.g. CHW Code of Ethics, Americans with Disabilities Act [ADA], Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act [HIPAA])
h. Ability to identify situations calling for mandatory reporting and carry out mandatory reporting requirements
i. Ability to participate in professional development of peer CHWs and in networking among CHW groups
j. Ability to set boundaries and practice self-care
Evaluation and Research Skills*
a. Ability to identify important concerns and conduct evaluation and research to better understand root causes
b. Ability to apply the evidence-based practices of Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) and Participatory Action Research (PAR)
c. Ability to participate in evaluation and research processes including:
i) Identifying priority issues and evaluation/ research questions
ii) Developing evaluation/research design and methods
iii) Data collection and interpretation
iv) Sharing results and findings
v) Engaging stakeholders to take action on findings
Knowledge Base
a. Knowledge about social determinants of health and related disparities
b. Knowledge about pertinent health issues
c. Knowledge about healthy lifestyles and self-care
d. Knowledge about mental/behavioral health issues and their connection to physical health
e. Knowledge about health behavior theories
f. Knowledge of basic public health principles
g. Knowledge about the community served
h. Knowledge about United States health and social service systems
Are you a community health worker looking to get involved? Explore opportunities and get involved in shaping the future of public health!
