Community Health Workers

The Community Health Worker (CHW) Initiative is a collaborative effort driven by partners and stakeholders across the state of Georgia.

What is a Community Health Worker?

In 2016, CHW stakeholders in Georgia came together and adopted the following definition (based on definitions from the American Public Health Association and the Bureau of Labor and Statistics). "A Community Health Worker (CHW) is a frontline health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has a demonstrated working knowledge of the community and individuals served.” Community Health Workers, also known as Navigators, Promotoras, Outreach Workers, Community Health Aids, Health Promoters, and many other names, function in a variety of roles, and are typically from the community they serve.

CHWs have an essential role on the healthcare team given their unique position to help address high-priority public health issues and the health care needs of the community.

CHW Advisory Board 

Established in May 2017, the Georgia Community Health Worker Advisory Board serves as a statewide coordinating body to strengthen and advance the Community Health Worker workforce as a critical component of Georgia’s public health system. The Advisory Board’s purpose is to align statewide efforts to define CHW roles, standardize training, and promote professional recognition for this growing workforce, all in support of improving population health outcomes and advancing health for all.

The Advisory Board provides strategic leadership and vision for Georgia’s Community Health Worker Initiative by bringing together organizations and associations with a statewide focus on community health, access to care, and the reduction of health disparities. Recent efforts have centered on integrating CHWs into health and public health workflows and fostering sustainable, supportive relationships between CHWs and the systems in which they operate.

Working in collaboration with the Georgia CHW Network, the Advisory Board supports the development of a structured CHW career ladder to promote workforce sustainability, professional growth, and long-term impact. The Board is comprised of multidisciplinary representatives from health care, public health, academia, community-based organizations, care management organizations, physicians, nursing, social work, and Community Health Workers, ensuring a comprehensive approach to workforce development and community health improvement.

Georgia CHW Advocacy Coalition

Established in April 2018, the Georgia Community Health Worker Advocacy Coalition was formed to support and advance the work of the Georgia CHW Advisory Board by strengthening policy, systems, and environmental approaches that elevate the CHW profession. The Advocacy Coalition works to increase the visibility and understanding of the CHW role within communities and across health and public health systems, while advocating for formal recognition of CHWs as certified health professionals in Georgia.

Through collaboration with the Georgia CHW Network, the Coalition develops and disseminates educational materials for employers, supervisors, policymakers, and community stakeholders to promote effective integration of CHWs into care delivery and public health interventions. These efforts are designed to enhance workforce sustainability, improve access to care, and support positive health outcomes.

The CHW Advocacy Coalition is currently comprised of approximately 70 members and is led by Georgia Watch, reflecting a broad, statewide commitment to advancing community-centered approaches to public health.

To join the CHW Advocacy Coalition, please send a letter of interest to the Advocacy Coalition email:

georgia-community-health-worker-advocacy-coalition@googlegroups.com

Please email [email protected] for more information and to join the conversation.

CHW Network

In 2021, the Community Health Worker Initiative, in collaboration with its partners, launched the Georgia Community Health Worker Network. The CHW Network provides opportunities for CHWs to collaborate through meetings and learning collaboratives that support peer exchange and partnership-building. Participants share updates on local, regional, and national CHW events, activities, and policy developments, and highlight local CHW projects.

The CHW Network serves as a professional network for CHWs in Georgia. It also advises the Advisory Board on professional development opportunities, including training and CHW career ladder development. In addition, the CHW Network collaborates with the Advocacy Coalition to create materials for employers, supervisors, legislators, and community members about the role of the CHW.

Core Competency Community Health Worker Training

The Core Competency Community Health Worker Training strengthens Georgia’s public health workforce by equipping CHWs with the foundational skills needed to improve health outcomes and advance health across all communities. Developed in partnership with the University of Georgia and grounded in evidence-based public health principles, the training prepares CHWs to serve as trusted liaisons between communities, health systems, and social service organizations.

Participants build competencies in communication, humility, patient advocacy, care coordination, data-informed outreach, and ethical practice. Addressing skills that are essential for addressing social determinants of health and reducing barriers to care. Through interactive learning and real-world application, CHWs are empowered to address public health challenges.

By investing in CHWs through Core Competency Training, Georgia DPH is strengthening community-based prevention strategies, enhancing workforce capacity, and ensuring that public health initiatives are responsive to the lived experiences and needs of Georgia’s diverse populations.

Asthma Education for Community Health Workers Training

DPH offers the Asthma Education for Community Health Workers Training to strengthen community-based asthma care and improve health outcomes for people living with asthma across Georgia.

Developed by the Association of Asthma Educators, this evidence-based program is designed to prepare entry-level Community Health Workers to deliver effective, culturally responsive asthma education. The training equips participants with the skills to support individuals and families in understanding asthma, managing symptoms, reducing environmental triggers, and preventing asthma-related emergencies.

By expanding asthma education within communities, this program supports the Georgia Asthma Control Program’s mission to reduce health disparities, improve asthma self-management, and prevent avoidable emergency department visits and hospitalizations related to asthma.

The training is available to community-based organizations, healthcare providers, and other partners interested in building the capacity of their staff and volunteers to support patients and families living with asthma.

For more information or to inquire about participating, please email:
[email protected] 

CHWs and the COVID Pandemic 

During the pandemic, CHWs emerged as public health champions by implementing health education and promoting vaccine adherence in underserved communities. CHWs facilitated referrals, connected individuals with vital resources, and helped to address health disparities. By addressing SDOH barriers and promoting preventive health, CHWs played a critical role in advancing public health goals by ensuring all Georgians received the support needed.

COVID-19 exacerbated chronic diseases and related risk factors, such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and smoking, for many individuals. Social distancing recommendations and increased isolation contributed to reduced physical activity, unhealthy eating habits, and food insecurity, leaving many at higher risk for serious complications from the virus.

DPH was awarded $9 million from the CDC over the course of 3 years ($3 million/year) to implement a COVID Response plan utilizing the CHW workforce.  Between August 1, 2021, and August 30, 2024, six key strategies under the CCR-2109 CDC grant supported CHWs in Georgia to address COVID-19 and future public health emergencies, with a focus on high-risk populations affected by chronic diseases. CHWs were strategically deployed across the state, concentrating on counties or clusters of zip codes heavily impacted by COVID-19 to maximize the impact of their outreach. CHWs addressed individuals with prediabetes/diabetes, pre-hypertension/hypertension, cancer, obesity, and tobacco users, connecting them to COVID-19 vaccines, boosters, and testing. Additionally, CHWs worked to connect individuals to resources that offered healthier food options and promoted physical activity.

For more information, please click here .

Last Reviewed 1/14/2026