Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 11, June 11, 2024
Section 7.29.5.8 - BOARD OF CERTIFICATION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERSA. Board membership:(1) The board shall be comprised of nine members who are residents of New Mexico, appointed by the secretary, and shall include:(a) three currently practicing CHWs, including at least one tribal community health representative;(b) the secretary or the secretary's designee, who shall serve as chair of the board; and(c) five additional members that the secretary shall endeavor to appoint from community health stakeholders including but not limited to health care providers, tribal representatives, individuals from institutions of higher learning, or members of the community from various geographic regions of the state.(2) Members of the board other than the department's representative shall serve for staggered terms of four years. The secretary shall appoint to the initial board three members to a four-year term, three members to a three-year term, and two members to a two-year term. Each member shall hold office until his or her successor is appointed.(3) Board members shall be reimbursed as provided for in the Per Diem and Mileage Act, Section 10-8-1et seq. NMSA 1978 and shall receive no other compensation, perquisite or allowance.B. Meetings: The board shall convene at least once per quarter at the call of the chair and as frequently as reasonably necessary to review and make recommendations regarding the CHW certification process. (1) Meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the Open Meetings Act, Section 10-15-1 through 10-15-4 NMSA 1978. A simple majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of transacting official business.(2) Meeting arrangements and attendance requirements shall be determined by the board. The board shall recommend to the secretary removal of board members for non-participation or any other good cause.C. Duties and responsibilities: The board shall advise the secretary on the implementation of standards, guidelines, and requirements relating to the training and regulation of persons seeking certification or practicing as CCHWs.(1) The board shall make recommendations to the secretary on the following matters: (a) standards and requirements for the establishment and approval or acceptance of community health worker education and training programs in the state;(b) standards and requirements for approval or acceptance of continuing education courses and programs as the board may require for recertification every two years;(c) minimum education, training, experience, and other qualifications that a certified community health worker shall possess to qualify as a trainer in any education, training, or continuing education program for community health workers;(d) the process to acknowledge, document, and assess relevant education, training and experience or other qualifications acquired by CHWs practicing in the state before the effective date of the Community Health Workers Act for purposes of certification while waiving minimum training and experience requirements established by the act (also known as "grandfathering");(e) the means to assess community health worker competency in connection with certification;(f) the core competencies to be required for certification, in consideration of current New Mexico and national CHW workforce studies; and(g) the scope of practice for CCHWs.(2) The board may provide guidance to the program on issues or topics presented to the board at the program's discretion.(3) Board recommendations: The board shall provide to the secretary written recommendations in accordance with the duties listed in this section, including any supporting documentation or public commentary. The secretary shall make a final determination on all board recommendations.Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXVI, Issue 02, January 30, 2015, eff. 1/30/2015