Roles and Responsibilities of Community Health Workers in Louisiana Medicaid Managed Care Organizations

Abstract

We explored the roles of community health workers (CHWs) working in Medicaid Managed Care Organizations in Louisiana by conducting 10 interviews with CHWs, supervisors, and administrators. We identified 6 themes: CHWs' backgrounds and training; roles as they related to nationally recognized competencies; team integration; who CHWs serve and how members are identified; metrics for success; and the effects of COVID. CHWs are hired for their community connections. CHWs generally do not receive core competency training, and they focus primarily on improving individual-level health outcomes. Administrators and supervisors may need training and support on CHW competencies, supervision, and using common evaluation indicators.