Established 2016
Mission
To unify, promote and sustain the profession of Community Health Workers in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Purpose
Provide a unified association of community health workers in Kentucky with the purpose of spreading knowledge and advocating for recognition of CHWs and our communities.
Vision
Community Health Workers are recognized as professionals and work together to improve community health outcomes.
2026 KYACHW Meetings & Events
Each Year KYACHW hosts Quarterly Learning and Networking Events designed for members to collaborate, connect , grow and share resources. These events provide valuable opportunities for networking and learning, with two in-person events each year – Including our Annual Conference, which serves as our signature gathering. CEU’s are offered at all events, and members are encouraged to attend. Non-members are also welcome and may have an additional fee.
October 22
KYACHW Fourth Quarterly Meeting
Planning is officially underway for our 2026 KYACHW Annual Conference!!!
This conference will take place during National Community Health Worker Awareness Week, making it the perfect opportunity to celebrate, collaborate, and learn together across Kentucky.
Kentucky Community Health Workers—We Need Your Voice!
Have you experienced challenges billing for Community Health Worker services through Medicaid? You’re not alone.
Our partners at Kentucky Voices for Health (KVH) are collecting feedback to help improve the CHW billing process across Kentucky. Medicaid leadership has specifically requested information about the barriers CHWs are facing, and your input can help shape meaningful improvements.
Share your experiences, challenges, and recommendations by
July 24:
https://forms.gle/xHDAxrD8UQsu5aUL7
All responses shared with Medicaid leadership will be de-identified . Your name, email, and organization will only be used by KVH for internal tracking and, if needed, to follow up for additional information or help resolve reported issues.
Together, we can strengthen CHW sustainability and improve access to services across Kentucky. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and share this post with your fellow CHWs!
about us
CHW’s have been effective in advocating for the community members of the state since 1988. The association view is CHW’s are the missing link between the healthcare provider and the client. This relationship plays a key role in improving the health of our communities.
What is a CHW?
A community health worker is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the worker to serve as a liaison link intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery.
A community health worker also builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support and advocacy
Become a Community Health Worker?
The Kentucky Office of Community Health Workers (KOCHW) serves as the official governing authority for Community Health Worker certification in Kentucky. KOCHW issues certification to individuals who meet established requirements, including successful demonstration of the eight core competencies through qualified training programs or documented work experience.
Let’s Break down the Difference: KOCHW & KYACHW
While both organizations work closely together to support Community Health Workers in Kentucky, each plays a powerful distinct role in your CHW journey.
KOCHW
KYACHW
Certification and Membership Dues are paid separately to each organization,