Evaluating the Potential Influence of Federal COVID-19 Response Funding on the Building and Sustainability of the CHW...

Objectives. To describe the potential influence of Community Health Workers for COVID-19 Response and Resilient Communities (CCR) funding on community health worker (CHW) hiring, retention, and workforce sustainability. Methods. A descriptive analysis of a cross-sectional, web-based survey of directors and coordinators of 63 CCR recipient organizations administered between February and March 2024 was conducted in the United States. Survey questions assessed program funding sources, payment mechanisms for CHW services, and CHW hiring and retention. Results. About 65% of CCR recipients relied solely on CCR funds, whereas others leveraged over $117 million in additional funding, mostly federal, to support CCR program implementation. Of 1359 CHW positions supported by CCR, respondents expected to maintain 749. Recipients planned to use grant funding and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reimbursement as strategies for retention. Conclusions. Federal funding can contribute meaningfully to sustaining CHW employment across different settings, yet sustainability of this vital public health workforce is not assured. Public Health Implications. The findings underscore the importance of long-term investment via diverse funding sources and building programmatic capacity to strengthen and sustain the CHW workforce. (Am J Public Health. 2026;116(S4):S321-S330. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2026.308646).