This information was collected through a combination of state surveys and NASHP staff research. It offers a snapshot of how the state is defining, training, certifying, and paying for the CHW workforce — as well as how the state is developing cross-agency and state-to-local strategies to improve community health in partnership with CHWs.
This is a dynamic policy space, and states are continuing to develop new approaches. We will continue to make periodic updates to this page. Learn more about state CHW policies across the U.S.
State CHW Definition
The Hawai‘i Community Health Worker Association (HI-CHWA) uses the American Public Health Association definition for Community Health Workers.
State CHW Governance
Hawai‘i does not have a dedicated state office of CHWs.
Certification and Training
The University of Hawai‘i offers training for CHWs, but certification is not currently required by the state. In 2025, the Hawai‘i State Department of Health created a task force to identify minimum professional standards for a CHW training program; state efforts to develop a voluntary certification program are ongoing.
Kapiʻolani Community College and University of Hawai‘i Maui College offer CHW Certificate of Competence programs. The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, John A. Burns School of Medicine, Department of Native Hawaiian Health contributes to CHW community engagement and chronic disease training through extensive community partnerships.
Medicaid Reimbursement
Hawai‘i does not reimburse for CHW services through its Medicaid program.
Rural Health Transformation
The Department of Health is using funds from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) to develop a Hawai‘i CHW Professional Standards and Certification Program. This program will support the sustainability of the CHW workforce by establishing standards developed through consensus from CHWs representing counties across the state and serving rural communities. Additionally, the DOH is using RHTP funds to create CHW positions that integrate CHWs into rural public health nursing care teams, expanding capacity for preventive care and chronic disease management.
Other Funding or Financing Mechanisms
The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) employs CHW-related positions by hiring Bilingual Health Aides to assist immigrants, migrants, Compact of Free Association groups, Native Hawaiians, and limited and non-English speaking people to access health and other related services in the community.
Key Partnerships
The HI-CHWA is convened by the Hawai‘i Public Health Institute, a nonprofit organization. Papa Ola Lōkahi, a nonprofit organization assisting the five Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems, supports a CHW network and the NHPI 3R CHW Collaborative. Other key partners include the Hawai‘i Primary Care Association, Hawaiʻi State Rural Health Association, Kula no na Po‘e Hawai‘i, Ka‘u Rural Health Community Association, and the University of Hawai‘i System.
State CHW Legislation
Information is unavailable.
State Resources
ACO – Accountable care organization
AHEC – Area Health Education Centers
APHA – American Public Health Association
APM – Alternative payment model
CBO – Community-based organization
CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC CCR Funding – Community Health Workers for COVID Response and Resilient Communities Funding
CHR – Community health representative
CHW – Community health worker
CPT Codes – Current Procedural Terminology Codes
C3 Project – CHW Core Competency Project
FFS – Fee for services
HCSPCS Codes – Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System Codes
HRSA – Health Resources & Services Administration
MCO – Managed care organization
NACHW – National Association of Community Health Workers
SDOH – Social determinants of health
VBP – Value-based payment
State CHW Definition: This category indicates where states have a formal definition of a CHW. In some cases, where there is not a definition in statute, this category may draw information from provider manuals and state websites or reports.
Certification and Training: This category includes information about how CHWs are trained in the state, which entities provide training, whether or not the state runs or recognizes a CHW certification program, and information about the entities that administer existing certification programs.
Medicaid Reimbursement: This category includes information about state Medicaid strategies that provide enrollees access to CHW services. Entries indicate whether state Medicaid programs currently reimburse for CHW services or incorporate CHWs into alternative payment models under the authority of a state plan amendment (SPA), or where states have earmarked funds to support CHW services under the authority of an 1115 demonstration waiver. It also indicates where CHW services might be supported through managed care approaches (e.g., where MCOs are paying for CHW services using administrative dollars or where states are using managed care contracts to incentivize or require MCOs to cover CHW services).
Other Funding or Financing Mechanisms: This category includes information about other state funding or financing approaches that cover CHW services or CHW positions. It includes information about federal grant dollars for which the state is the grantee.
Key Partnerships: This category offers information about key partners outside state government, including state CHW associations and CHW training entities, and highlights formal cross-agency partnerships within the state that support alignment of funding and resources for the CHW workforce.
State CHW Legislation: This category highlights any state legislation relevant to the CHW workforce. This might include statutory language directing agencies to develop a Medicaid reimbursement approach, laws that established state CHW certification, or other relevant statutes.
State Resources: This category offers links to any key reports or resources that states elected to highlight as critical to CHW policy and partnership.
