About About the Community Health Aide Program Certification Board (CHAPCB)
The Community Health Aide Program Certification Board (CHAPCB) plays a vital role in supporting tribal healthcare across Alaska. Federally authorized by the Alaska Area Native Health Service and administered by the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, CHAPCB ensures that Health Aides are trained and certified to deliver high-quality, culturally responsive care in their communities.
Purpose
Established in 1998 by the federal government, CHAPCB was created to formalize and uphold the training and practice standards the Community Health Aide Program. Since its inception, the program has grown and now includes three disciplines areas:
- Community Health
- Dental Health
- Behavioral Health
CHAPCB’s mission is to ensure that individuals in these roles are well-prepared to meet the health needs of their communities through rigorous certification and oversight.
Authority and Governance
CHAPCB operates under the authority of Section 119 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA), codified at 25 U.S.C. § 1616l. This federal mandate empowers the board to:
- Maintain and update program standards and procedures
- Certify training centers that deliver approved curricula
- Certify individual Health Aides at all levels of training
The board is composed of experienced healthcare professionals who represent the diverse components of the Health Aide programs, ensuring that certification decisions reflect both clinical excellence and community relevance.
Guiding Document
The Community Health Aide Program Certification Board Standards and Procedures (S&P) is the foundational document that governs all aspects of CHAPCB’s work. It outlines:
- Training requirements
- Certification pathways
- Scope of practice
- Continuing education expectations
This document ensures consistency, accountability, and quality across all certified programs and practitioners.
Impact and Reach
CHAPCB supports a network of Health Aides who serve as the frontline providers in Alaska’s tribal health system. These professionals are often the first—and sometimes only—point of contact for medical, dental, and behavioral health services in remote communities. Through certification and oversight, CHAPCB helps ensure that care is:
- Safe
- Effective
- Culturally appropriate
- Accessible