42 USC 280 - Awards to support community health workers and community health

View all text of Part P [§ 280g - § 280g-18]

§ 280g–11. Awards to support community health workers and community health

(a) In general

(b) Use of fundsSubject to any requirements for the scope of licensure, registration, or certification of a community health worker under applicable State law, grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements awarded under subsection (a) shall be used to—

(1) recruit, hire, train, and retain community health workers that reflect the needs of the community;

(2) support community health workers in providing education and outreach, in a community setting, regarding—

(A) health conditions prevalent in—

(i) medically underserved communities (as defined in section 295p of this title), particularly racial and ethnic minority populations; and

(ii) other such at-risk populations or geographic areas that may require additional support during public health emergencies, which may include counties identified by the Secretary using applicable measures developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or other Federal agencies; and

(B) addressing health disparities, including by—

(i) promoting awareness of services and resources to increase access to health care, mental health and substance use disorder services, child services, technology, housing services, educational services, nutrition services, employment services, and other services; and

(ii) assisting in conducting individual and community needs assessments;

(3) educate community members, including regarding effective strategies to promote healthy behaviors;

(4) educate and provide outreach regarding enrollment in health insurance including the Children’s Health Insurance Program under title XXI of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1397aa et seq.], Medicare under title XVIII of such Act [42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.] and Medicaid under title XIX of such Act [42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.];

(5) identify and refer underserved populations to appropriate health care agencies and community-based programs and organizations in order to increase access to quality health care services and to streamline care, including serving as a liaison between communities and health care agencies; and

(6) support community health workers in educating, guiding, or providing home visitation services regarding chronic diseases, maternal health, prenatal, and postpartum care in order to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.

(d) PriorityIn making awards under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority to applicants that—

(1) propose to serve—

(A) areas with populations that have a high rate of chronic disease, infant mortality, or maternal morbidity and mortality;

(B) low-income populations, including medically underserved populations (as defined in section 254b(b)(3) of this title);

(D) populations residing in maternity care health professional target areas identified under section 254e(k) of this title; or

(E) rural or traditionally underserved populations, including racial and ethnic minority populations or low-income populations;

(2) have experience in providing health or health-related social services to individuals who are underserved with respect to such services, including rural populations and racial and ethnic minority populations;

(3) have documented community activity and experience and established relationships with community health workers in the communities expected to be served by the program;

(4) develop a plan for providing services to the extent practicable, in the language and cultural context most appropriate to individuals expected to be served by the program; and

(5) propose to use evidence-informed or evidence-based practices, as applicable and appropriate.

(e) Collaboration with academic institutions and the one-stop delivery system

(f) Technical assistance

(g) Dissemination of best practices

(h) Report to Congress

(i) Authorization of appropriations

(j) DefinitionsIn this section:

(1) Eligible entity

(2) Indian Tribe; Tribal organization

(3) Urban Indian organization

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 399V, as added and amended Pub. L. 111–148, title V, § 5313(a), title X, § 10501(c), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 633, 994; Pub. L. 113–128, title V, § 512(z)(1), July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1716; Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title II, § 2222(a), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5744.)