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
State CHW Governance
Kansas has a dedicated state office of CHWs. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment CHW Section sits in the Bureau of Health Promotion.
Certification and Training
A state-endorsed CHW certification program was approved by the Kansas CHW Coalition in April 2022. There is ongoing work to develop a certification curriculum for Spanish-speaking CHWs. A Kansas Certification Registry was developed and is maintained by the Kansas CHW Coalition.
Medicaid Reimbursement
Kansas’s state Medicaid program reimburses for CHW services under its state plan. A State Plan Amendment authorizing fee-for-service reimbursement for certified CHWs went into effect July 1, 2023.
As of January 1, 2025, managed care organizations (MCO) are required to:
- Use and promote the use of certified CHWs/CHRs (community health representatives) as MCO staff and/or providers located within local communities across Kansas
- Identify the roles and responsibilities of certified CHWs/CHRs and provide the training necessary to support certified CHWs/CHRs to successfully perform their roles and responsibilities
- Measure, monitor, and evaluate whether certified CHWs/CHRs are effectively fulfilling their roles and responsibilities to improve member care, individual outcomes, and population health
Other Funding or Financing Mechanisms
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is a grantee of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Community Health Workers for COVID Response and Resilient Communities initiative. Funds support CHWs in communities most affected by COVID-19. The funds support a CHW certification, continuing education modules, CHW training cohorts, and mentorship program.
Key Partnerships
Strong partnerships exist among the Kansas CHW workforce and the following partners:
- Payers: MCOs and local/state/regional foundations
- Providers, including Indian Health Service clinics, federally qualified health centers and safety net clinics, rural health clinics, and hospitals
- Community-based organizations
- Local and state health departments and Kansas school districts
- Others, including universities and institutions of higher education, religious organizations, and state coalitions and organizations
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.
