Community Health Workers Toolkit

Welcome to the Community Health Workers (CHW) Toolkit. This toolkit compiles evidence-based models, promising practices, and resources to support rural communities seeking to develop CHW programs. CHWs are frontline public health or social service professionals who are close to and serve members of the community by helping them to adopt healthy behaviors. CHWs play many important roles in rural communities.

The intended audiences for this toolkit are rural organizations implementing CHW programs, such as health system organizations, public health agencies, nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations, businesses, networks, and community-based organizations. For more information about rural community health programs, including how to develop and implement a program, visit the Rural Community Health Toolkit.

The modules in the toolkit contain resources and information focused on developing, implementing, evaluating, funding and sustaining, and sharing information on rural CHW programs.

Module 1: Introduction
Overview of CHWs, their characteristics, roles, and unique advantages and challenges rural communities face.

Module 2: Program Models
Evidence-based and promising models for rural CHW programs.

Module 3: Program Clearinghouse
Examples of CHW programs that have been implemented in rural communities.

Module 4: Implementation
Important issues to consider and address when implementing a rural CHW program.

Module 5: Evaluation
Tools that can help with evaluating a CHW program.

Module 6: Funding & Sustainability
Resources to help with planning for funding and sustainability of a CHW program.

Module 7: Dissemination
Ideas and resources for disseminating findings from a CHW program.