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 Rhode Island Department of Health website defines CHWs as “frontline, public health professionals who often have similar cultural knowledge, practices, and beliefs, chronic health conditions, disabilities, or life experiences as other people in the same community. As trusted leaders and subject matter experts, they often serve as a link between their community and needed health or social services. [CHWs] help to improve timely access to healthcare and social services, support systems, and social services that affect upstream social determinants of health; CHWs also help to improve quality of care and services. This work may help to improve service providers’ understanding of community members’ cultural needs so they may better respond and help communities achieve more positive health outcomes. At other times, CHWs might work together with decision-makers to change policies affecting care, support, and services within a health system, or within a local community, state, or other government jurisdiction.”
State CHW Governance
Rhode Island does not have a dedicated state office of CHWs. The Community Health Worker Program sits within the Rhode Island Department of Health.
Certification and Training
Rhode Island has a CHW certification program operated by the Rhode Island Certification Board. The certification must be renewed every two years.
The Community Health Worker Association of Rhode Island (CHWARI) offers training and professional development opportunities for CHWs in the state, including the CORE CHW certification training and specialty training in chronic disease management and healthy aging.
Medicaid Reimbursement
Rhode Island Medicaid reimburses for CHW services under the state plan. Rhode Island Medicaid’s State Plan Amendment authorizing CHW reimbursement was approved in 2022. CHW services may be billed under the state’s fee-for-service delivery system with HCPCS code T1016.
Rhode Island’s Medicaid accountable entities (similar to accountable care organizations) may use funds earned through the Health System Transformation Project Incentive Fund to fund CHW services.
Other Funding or Financing Mechanisms
The Rhode Island Department of Health was awarded the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Community Health Workers for COVID Response and Resilient Communities initiative funding to train and certify CHWs while also piloting integration of CHWs as members of the Health Systems Transformation Project.
Key Partnerships
The Rhode Island Department of Health convenes the CHW Strategy Team for monthly meetings, which bring together governmental and non-governmental organizations to advance CHW initiatives throughout the state.
The Community Health Worker Association of Rhode Island is also a key partner.
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.
