Implementation Experiences From the Community Health Workers for COVID Response and Resilient Communities Initiative.

The $340 million Community Health Workers for COVID Response and Resilient Communities (CCR) initiative leveraged community health workers (CHWs) to address immediate pandemic needs and build community resilience. A comprehensive web-based survey was administered to 67 CCR recipients (94% response rate) in the United States to explore implementation experiences. Experience with the target population and established partnerships were key facilitators; challenges included CHW recruitment and adapting to pandemic shifts. CCR demonstrated CHWs' vital role in strengthening public health emergency response. Long-term investment is essential for sustainability. (Am J Public Health. 2026;116(S4):S272-S275. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2026.308714).