A successful Community Health Worker (CHW) program begins with careful planning and depends on a strong foundation for long-term sustainability. NACCHO has developed two complementary resources to help local health departments and their partners plan, implement, and sustain CHW programs.

• The Community Health Worker Program Implementation Plan Tool supports organizations in developing a structured implementation plan by identifying SMART goals, key activities, timelines, partners, required resources, and measures of success. Whether establishing a new program or strengthening an existing one, the tool provides a practical framework for moving from planning to implementation.
• The Community Health Worker Program Sustainability Compass is designed to help organizations assess and strengthen the areas that contribute to long-term program success. Through a collaborative self-assessment, teams can evaluate six core areas for sustainability: leadership support, partnerships, organizational capacity, program evaluation, strategic planning, and funding stability.

Used together, these resources provide a practical approach to planning, implementing, and sustaining CHW programs while supporting ongoing program improvement and long-term impact in the communities they serve.