Community Health Alignment Initiative (CHAI)
HAZ CLIC AQUÍ PARA ESPAÑOLWhy Does South Carolina Need the Community Health Alignment Initiative
(CHAI)?
According to the American Community Survey (ACS) approximately 521,147 South Carolinians, or 10.04% of the total population, were uninsured in 2021. This number is likely currently higher since the federal government has ordered states to restart reviewing the eligibility status of Medicaid members and removing those who do not qualify beginning April 1, 2023. South Carolina needs community health workers to support community members in navigating access to insurance and address other social determinants of health (SDOH) that impact their quality of life. CHAI is designed to support these community members.
CHAI is Designed to Meet the Needs of Communities Across the Palmetto State
The CHAI program was established by the South Carolina General Assembly Proviso 33.20 titled the Medicaid Accountability and Quality Improvement initiative 2023-2024 Appropriations Act in 2023 which authorized SCDHHS to contract with the Center for Community Health Alignment (CCHA) in a collaborative effort to expand the community health worker program with the goal of improving health outcomes for individuals without access to affordable health insurance by facilitating resource connections and access to safety net providers. Click on the questions below to learn more.
Organizations Funded by CHAI
The recipient organizations include Affinity Health Center, AccessHealth Horry, AccessHealth Spartanburg, AnMed, Browns Ferry Community Outreach (BFCO), The Courage Center, Greenville Free Medical Clinic, HopeHealth, McLeod Health, the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), PASOs, Prisma Health, Regenesis Health Care, Roper St. Francis Healthcare, Rural Health Services, Tandem Health, Community Medical Clinic of Kershaw County, Darlington County First Steps, and Safe Space Dinners.
CHAI Mailing List
To sign up for the CHAI mailing list, please complete this form.
Why was CHAI Established?
What are the target populations for the CHAI program?
What is the Center for Community Health Alignment’s role?
What is the CHAI logic model?
How does CCHA have to account for the funds spent?
What are the duties of the CHWs that will be funded through CHAI?
Acronym Glossary
- CCHA: Center for Community Health Alignment
- CHAI: Community Health Alignment Initiative
- CHW(s): Community health worker(s)
- SCCHWA: South Carolina Community Health Worker Association
- SCDDHS: South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
CHAI Frequently Asked Questions
Why were only 40 ZCTAs used to determine eligibility for the program?
Contact Us
For additional information about the Community Health Alignment Initiative (CHAI) please send an email to chai@mailbox.sc.edu .