Occupational Outlook Handbook Updates Information for Community Health Workers

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook has updated the Community Health Workers (CHW) profile. HRSA helped inform the update as part of an interagency initiative to address long-term CHW sustainability through novel, whole-of-government solutions.

The new standalone CHW profile better reflects the core duties, competencies, and training and employment sites. While the profile focuses on CHWs, it also mentions other professions such as peer support specialists, community health representatives, and health promoters for the first time. They are included in the CHW Standardized Occupational Classification (SOC) code.

In fiscal year 2022, HRSA awarded more than $225.5 million to 83 organizations through Community Health Worker Training Program grants.