Grandfathering

Minnesota Community Health Worker Institute
Board of Registration Application for Community Health Workers

General Information and Instructions

Introduction

In Minnesota, Community Health Workers (CHWs) are reimbursable under the Medicaid program. Other than Alaska we are the only state that has been able to implement this structure of financial support to Community Health Workers. In order to be able to apply for the reimbursement process CHWs must have received a CHW certificate from a Nationally Accredited Higher Education Institute. The Community Health Worker Institute, Board of Registration has established the application period from April 2009 through the deadline date of November 30, 2009. Any applications posted after November 30th will not be accepted. Dates and locations of exam sites will be sent to individuals upon completion and approval of application.

The Board wants to make sure that all applicants fully understand the unique role of a Community Health Worker, the work they do, and the essence of the strength they bring in serving underserved populations in Minnesota. The Board has implemented a grandfathering period to provide those possessing experience as a Community Health Work, the opportunity to apply for the certificate. If you are interested in applying the following process must be completed:

Complete both the Endorsement Application Form and the Supervisor Verification Form.
Please mail together, to Healthcare Education Industry Partnership, the completed application packet, which should include Endorsement Application Form, Supervisor Verification Form, and $25.00 processing fee. Checks or money orders should be made out to Healthcare Education Industry Partnership.
Once the complete application packet (see above)has been received, the Board will decide on approval for the next step, which is the Standard of Practice Exam. If not approved, you will be notified through a letter and if approved, you will be provided with a list of sites for completing the written assessment examination.
At the exam site, individuals will need to show a current photo ID and submit payment, made out to Healthcare Education Industry Partnership, in the amount of $75.00 before they will be allowed to sit for the exam.

EXAM LOCATIONS AND DATES

CHW Standard of Practice Examination: Friday, September 11, 2009, 2:00-4:00 p.m., Northpoint Health and Welness Center, 1315 Penn Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN, Room 101 in the Human Services Building.

CHW Standard of Practice Examination: Saturday, September 19, 2009, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Open Cities Health Center, 409 N. Dunlap Street, St. Paul, MN.

CHW Standard of Practice Examination: Friday, September 25, 2009, 2:00-4:00 p.m., Northpoint Health and Welness Center, 1315 Penn Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN, Room 101 in the Human Services Building.

CHW Standard of Practice Examination: Friday, October 9, 2009, 2:00-4:00 p.m., Northpoint Health and Welness Center, 1315 Penn Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN, Room 101 in the Human Services Building.

CHW Standard of Practice Examination: Friday, October 23, 2009, 2:00-4:00 p.m., Northpoint Health and Welness Center, 1315 Penn Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN, Room 101 in the Human Services Building.

CHW Standard of Practice Examination: Friday, November 13, 2009, 2:00-4:00 p.m., Northpoint Health and Welness Center, 1315 Penn Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN, Room 101 in the Human Services Building.

CHW Standard of Practice Examination: Friday, December 4, 2009, 2:00-4:00 p.m., Northpoint Health and Welness Center, 1315 Penn Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN, Room 101 in the Human Services Building.

CHW Standard of Practice Examination: Friday, December 9, 2009, 2:00-4:00 p.m., Northpoint Health and Welness Center, 1315 Penn Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN, Room 101 in the Human Services Building.

CHW Standard of Practice Examination: Friday, December 11, 2009, 2:00-4:00 p.m., Northpoint Health and Welness Center, 1315 Penn Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN, Room 101 in the Human Services Building.

CHW Standard of Practice Examination: Friday, December 18, 2009, 12:00-2:00 p.m., Northpoint Health and Welness Center, 1315 Penn Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN, Room 101 in the Human Services Building.

CHW Standard of Practice Examination: Friday, January 29, 2010, 2:00-5:00 p.m., Northpoint Health and Welness Center, 1315 Penn Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN, Room 101 in the Human Services Building. Note: This will be the final testing date.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

To avoid any unnecessary errors, take a moment to review the entire application packet before you begin to complete your application.
In order to apply, you must be able to vertify at least five years of experience working as a Community Health Worker or in a similar position.
Depending on the volume of applications received, it may take up to 20 business days following receipt to process your application.
The Board of Registration of Community Health Worker’s will review the applicant’s work history, past training and letters of reference signed by supervisors.
We will mail you a listing of dates and site locations for the Standard of Practice Examination once the Board has approved your application.
Once you have submitted your application, you must notify the Board of any name or address changes in order to receive current information.
Your application must be signed and notarized.
Submit the correct application fees with your application, made payable to Healthcare Education Industry Partnership, by check or money order. The fee is not refundable even if an applicant is found ineligible, since it is an earned fee for evaluation and processing of your application.
There will be six testing sites, one a month, June - October, and they will be located throughout Minnesota to make it convenient for individuals to take the exam.
Individuals will be allowed to take the Standards of Practice Examination more than one time, but must pay the examination fee of $75.00 for each time the exam is taken.

Minnesota Community Health Worker
Scope of Practice

Community Health Workers come from the communities they serve, working at the grassroots level building trust and vital relationships which make them effective culture brokers between their own communities and systems of care. CHWs reduce cultural and linguistic barriers to health care, improve quality and cost effectiveness of care, and increase the number of healthcare workers who come from diverse backgrounds or underserved communities

Role 1: Bridge the gap between communities and the health and social service systems

Educate community members about how to use the health care and social service systems
Educate the health and social service systems about community needs and perspectives
Gather information
Communicate with identified populations
Improve quality of care by aiding communication between provider and patient to clarify cultural practices

Role 2: Promote wellness by providing culturally appropriate health information to
clients and providers. For example:

Health promotion and disease prevention
Assist client’s in managing their chronic illness

Role 3: Assist in navigating the health and human services system

Connect with people needing services
Make referrals and coordinate services
Teach people the knowledge and skills needed to obtain care
Facilitate continuity of care by providing follow-up
Manage paperwork (e.g., help with application for public assistance)

Role 4: Advocate for individual and community needs

Articulate and represent needs of community and individuals to others
Be a spokesperson for clients when they are unable to speak for themselves
Involve participants in self and community advocacy.

Role 5: Provide Direct Services

Link to community resources to meet basic needs
Provide individual social and health care support
Organize and/or facilitate support groups
Refer and link to preventive services through health screenings and healthcare information

Role 6: Build Individual and Community Capacity:

Build individual capacity to achieve wellness
Build community capacity by addressing social determinants of health
Identify individual and community needs
Mentor other CHWs – capacity building
Seek professional development (continuing education)

Application Fee Schedule

Application (non-refundable).…………………………………………………………$25.00
Standard of Practice Examination……………………………………………………$75.00

Note: The cost of the Practice Examination is due when the application has been processed and approved.

Click Here for the Endorsement Application

Click Here for the Supervisor Verification Form

If you have questions on your application or the application process please email Anne Willaert at anne.willaert@mnsu.edu.

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