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 Florida Certification Board uses the following definition of CHWs: The certified community health worker (CCHW) “designation is an entry-level credential for front-line health workers who, by virtue of their trusted status in the community, serve as a liaison, link and intermediary between health services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery.”
State CHW Governance
Florida does not have a dedicated state office of CHWs. The Bureau of Chronic Disease and Prevent and Office of Minority Health, both situated within the Florida Department of Health, support CHW initiatives in the state.
Certification and Training
Certification is recommended but not required in Florida. The Florida Certification Board offers a CCHW designation.
The Florida Community Health Worker Coalition is an approved education provider of the Florida Certification Board and provides core competency and skill-based training to community health workers and their supervisors.
As part of the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant (PCOG) Program developed by the state of Florida, the state partners with the University of Florida’s Office of Professional and Workforce Development to create a registered apprentice program, with education, training, and employer partners.
The Florida Department of Health partners with the University of Florida to develop, implement, and evaluate a CHW Medication Therapy Management Support Program, which is specifically designed to help CHWs work with pharmacists to provide effective support for patients with diabetes or high blood pressure.
Medicaid Reimbursement
Florida does not reimburse CHW services through its Medicaid program.
Within Florida’s managed care contracts, managed care organizations (MCOs) are mandated to establish healthy behaviors programs. The MCO contracts include use-case examples such as the provision of medication therapy management support services provided by a CHW.
Rural Health Transformation
Information is unavailable.
Other Funding or Financing Mechanisms
Pilot programs to address minority maternal health outcomes, which includes services provided by CHWs, are funded through appropriation by the legislature for the Closing the Gap program.
Key Partnerships
- The Florida Community Health Worker Coalition is a statewide multisector partnership dedicated to the promotion of the CHW profession and serving underserved groups affected by health disparities through collaboration, training, advocacy, and leadership.
- The Bureau of Chronic Disease and Prevention in the Florida Department of Health is a strategic partner of the Florida Community Health Worker Coalition, promoting chronic disease prevention and education and monitoring the impact of certification and other efforts to build its workforce infrastructure.
- The Health Planning Councils have worked in partnership with the Florida Community Health Worker Coalition since 2017, providing health planning data and support.
- Florida’s Area Health Education Centers Network offers training for CHWs to screen and refer tobacco users to the free and proven effective cessation services offered by Tobacco Free Florida.
State CHW Legislation
House Bill 183 was enacted in 2021. The law directs the Office of Minority Health to coordinate with agencies, organizations, and providers across the state to promote the use of CHWs to improve the cultural competency of services and build individual and community self-sufficiency.
House Bill 1381 was enacted in 2021. The law relates to maternal health outcomes, requiring the Department of Health to establish telehealth minority maternity care pilot programs, defines “perinatal professionals” as doulas, personnel from Healthy Start and home-visiting programs, childbirth educators, community health workers, peer supporters, certified lactation consultants, nutritionists and dietitians, social workers, and other licensed and non-licensed professionals who assist women through their prenatal or postpartum periods. This legislation requires that the pilot programs provide training to participating health care practitioners and other perinatal professionals. These programs are funded through funds appropriated by the legislature for the Closing the Gap grant program.
State Resources
- The Florida Certification Board
- Florida Department of Health
- Division of Community Health Promotion and Division of Disease Control
- The Florida Community Health Worker Coalition
- MHP Salud
- University of Florida — Community Health Worker Registered Apprenticeship Program
- Petersburg College — Community Health Worker Certificate
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.
