RESEARCH & EVALUATION

WHAT WE DO

THE PROBLEM

While there are numerous high-quality CHW studies and several regional groups that conduct rigorous CHW research and evaluation, the CHW Center for Research and Evaluation is the only national effort to both produce and disseminate applied research and evaluation consistent with best and promising practices in the CHW field. In addition, the Center serves as a virtual meeting place for all parties interested in contributing to scientifically rigorous CHW research and evaluation that promotes the integrity and sustainability of the field.

HOW WE WORK

The Center employs a “hub and spoke” model in which the Center is the hub and various universities and other organizations that conduct research and evaluation act as the spokes.

Researchers and evaluators aligned with the Center form partnerships with others aligned with the Center to apply for funding and conduct research and evaluation.
Proposals and studies coming out of the Center all adhere to common principles and seek to model best and promising practices in the CHW field.
Staff of the Center conduct CHW research and evaluation under contract to a variety of entities. For example, the Center acts as the co-evaluator for the Community Health Alignment Initiative (CHAI), a project of the Center for Community Health Alignment in South Carolina.

RECENT RESEARCH & EVALUATION PROJECTS

Developing Common Indicators to Advance the CHW Workforce
2019-2023

In the context of this cooperative agreement from the CDC via the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (Award No. 5-NU38OT000286), using a participatory process that involved CHWs, researchers, and program staff from around the country, we prioritized 11 constructs from a pre-existing list and developed 12 indicators to measure those constructs. We piloted the indicators with state health departments and community-based organizations and developed a Guide to Using the CHW Common Indicators. Further, we coalesced a constituency of over 300 CHWs, researchers and evaluators, program staff and others, committed to developing and using common process and outcome indicators to sustain the integrity of the CHW profession.

INTERESTED IN COLLABORATING?

Researchers, evaluators, CHWs (both those who identify as researcher/evaluators and those who do not), and program staff interested in collaborating and/or contracting with the Center should contact us for more information.