Timeline

Timeline of CHW Activities in South Dakota

Although Community Health Representatives (CHRs) have worked across South Dakota for over 50 years, the Community Health Worker (CHW) workforce in South Dakota is relatively new, with work beginning in 2015 to develop a CHW workforce across South Dakota.

2015

  • The South Dakota Department of Health (SD DOH) conducted an environmental scan and statewide analysis of the CHW/CHR workforce.

2016

  • SD DOH and South Dakota Department of Social Services (SD DSS) co-facilitated a workgroup to develop key recommendations for CHWs in South Dakota.

2017

  • SD DSS works to draft a Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) for CHW reimbursement.

2018

  • SD DSS, DMS submits SPA for CHW reimbursement to CMS for review.

2019

  • On April 1, 2019, SD DSS, DMS announces CHW services as a covered fee-for-service reimbursement opportunity for CHWs in South Dakota.

2020

  • SD DOH launches the Community Health Workers Collaborative of South Dakota (CHWSD) to focus on CHW awareness, workforce development, and to gather key allies (those who support the developing CHW workforce) to launch the workforce.

2021

  • SD DOH is awarded the CDC Health Disparities funding to accelerate development of the CHW workforce.

2022

  • First trained CHWs begin to work with patients/clients across South Dakota.
  • CHWSD works to connect with all 9 tribal nations and CHR programs in South Dakota.

2023

  • CHW/CHR voluntary certification launches in South Dakota – a partnership between SD DOH and SD DSS.
  • First CHW Medicaid claims successfully process and are paid out in South Dakota on March 16, 2023.

2024

  • Total CHW and CHR workforce reaches over 250 individuals.
  • First Medicare CHW claims successfully processed in South Dakota.
  • CHWSD transitions to a nonprofit organization.