The Sustainable CHW Roadmap for Minnesota
Community Health Workers (CHWs) play an invaluable role in Minnesota’s health and social service landscape. Recognizing this, Minnesota embarked on a journey to strengthen and sustain the CHW workforce which supports the varied needs of all communities across Minnesota. A planning process led by the Minnesota Community Health Worker Alliance (MNCHWA) in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Community Health Worker initiative and multiple stakeholders occurred in the Spring of 2025. This community-based planning process was informed by previous foundational work, an environmental scan and community experience and knowledge. Over 100 individual stakeholders, including 30 CHWs, participated in this planning process and reviewed and approved the strategies and activities in the roadmap.
This roadmap outlines a strategic plan to integrate and sustain CHWs more fully into the state’s health infrastructure. It corresponds to a logic model and measurement plan to guide and evaluate the work.
This roadmap is meant to be used by all CHW stakeholders in Minnesota. The role of stakeholders is to utilize the strategies in the road map to guide and expand CHW programs and services across Minnesota. Employers, health care, social service and community-based organizations are particularly critical to expanding CHW services.
The Minnesota Community Health Worker Alliance has resources and consulting services available to assist CHWs, employers and organizations.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the CHWs, partners, stakeholders, organizations, and community members who contributed their time, expertise, and passion to the development of this roadmap. Your commitment to health and community well-being is the foundation of this work.
Catch Up on the Conversations
On March 6th, 2025 MNCHWA and the Minnesota Department of Health jointly hosted a “kick-off” meeting to set the foundation for the creation of a sustainable plan and future for Community Health Workers in the State of Minnesota.
This meeting featured speakers from the local and national levels speaking about the state and status of Community Health Workers. The Minnesota Department of Health shared the results of their environmental scan and the development of their logic model.
We recorded the session for those that weren’t able to attend the day of – be sure to check out the timestamps in the video to the various topics covered!
Workgroups
To make building out a plan of this size and scale more manageable we convened a variety of workgroups based around different topics to play to the strengths and interests of those involved. The groups and their overarching goals are listed below:
Sustainable Funding & Policy
Review and refine the logic model strategies, objectives, and activities related to financing and payment for funding CHW roles through Medicaid, grants, organizational, and private sector contributions. Provide clear next steps for implementation of these components of the logic model (how, who, when) for documentation of a sustainable plan.
Community Engagement & Health Equity Outcomes in Evidence-Based Models
Review and refine the logic model strategies, objectives, and activities related to supporting Implementation of Evidence-Based Models of Team-Based Care. E.g. (IMPaCT, CHW Pathways Hub, Umbrella/Community Care /Quasi hubs, patient centered medical homes, promising practices models, etc.). Ensure the infrastructure and models are responsive to community needs, addressing health disparities and promoting inclusiveness. Provide clear next steps for implementation of these components of the logic model (how, who, when) for documentation of a sustainable plan.
Data & Evaluation
Review and refine the logic model strategies, objectives, and activities related to assessment and evaluation metrics for success, including health outcomes, workforce effectiveness, and sustainability indicators. Provide clear next steps for implementation of these components of the logic model (how, who, when) for documentation of a sustainable plan
Training and career/workforce development
Review and refine the logic model strategies, objectives, and activities related to training, continuing education, and career development. Provide clear next steps for implementation of these components of the logic model (how, who, when) for documentation of a sustainable plan.
Watch the Final Review of Recommendations
We held a final review session virtually on June 12th to convene stakeholders to look over the key findings and recommendations borne out of the Sustainable Planning Workgroups formed after the Kick-Off Meeting. These recommendations will assist in the development of a sustainable CHW-centric plan ensuring that the logic model activities align with community needs.
June 12th Meeting Agenda
Welcome – Ann Nyakundi, MNCHWA
CHW Impact Story – Keri-Anne Ruzin, Neighborhood Healthsource
Background and Review of The Planning Process – Anne Ganey, MNCHWA
Introduction of the Sustainability Plan – Kristen Godfrey Walters, MDH
- Training and workforce development- Vonyee Howard, MNCHWA
- Sustainable funding a policy- Ann Nyakundi, MNCHWA
- Evidence Based Models and CHW Services- Kristen Godfrey Walters, MDH
- Data and Evaluation- Rachel Stoll, MNCHWA
Walkthrough of the Measurement Plan – Rachel Stoll, MNCHW
Overview of the Logic Model – Laura Turek, MDH
Breakout Rooms on Materials – Vonyee Howard, MNCHWA
- How does your work fit into this plan and the logic model?
- How will you use these materials?
- Did we capture what is needed to make CHWs sustainable?
Review and Discussion – Vonyee Howard, MNCHWA
Wrap Up and Next Steps – Ann Nyakundi, MNCHWA