Our unit has developed curricula and trained CHWs to advocate for individuals and communities, and has also trained community agencies, institutions and practitioners to better understand and value the work of CHWs.
As part of our training efforts we have developed:

• Training for Primary Care Clinics to work with CHWs
  CHWs have identified a near-universal barrier to their work; the healthcare system's lack of familiarity with the the multiple roles that CHWs can perform and the need for valuing CHWs contributions as an integral part of the health team.  As a result, CHWI developed a curriculum to train primary care providers to work side by side with CHWs. The curriculum was used to train healthcare providers from the clinics at which we have integrated CHWs and is available to train providers from other clinics.
• Train-the-Trainer Curriculum
  Spearheaded by a grant from Molina Healthcare, a curriculum was developed by the UNM Office for Community Health and CARENM to train Molina staff in 11 states. Utilizing this training manual, CHWI conducted in-depth training to Molina's supervisors in several states, so they could train their Field Support Coordinators (CHWs).

Community Health Workers and Medicaid Managed Care in New Mexico

A study of 448 enrollees who were assigned to field-based CHWs in 11 counties in New Mexico concluded that there were significant reductions in both numbers of claims and payments following the CHW intervention. An article titled "Community Health Workers and Medicaid Managed Care in New Mexico," was published in J Community Health (2012) 37, describing the cost effectiveness and impact of CHWs who connect Medicaid enrolled members of MCOs with resources and education.

Our unit actively participates in local, state, and national efforts to increase awareness of the value of CHWs in improving health disparities.  A few examples of these collaborations include;

• Albuquerque Ambulance
• Bernalillo County Community Health Council 
• Building Movement Project (National effort)
• International District Healthy Community Coalition 
• NM CHW Advisory Council 
• NM CHW Association 
• NM Public Health AssociationSouth Valley Partnership