NACDD Concludes Successful Pilot of Project ECHO® Training for Community Health Workers on Brain Health and Dementia Care

The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) recently completed a two-year Project ECHO® pilot designed to strengthen the capacity of Community Health Workers (CHWs) to promote brain health and support individuals living with dementia and their caregivers in rural and medically underserved communities. Using the Project ECHO® “all teach, all learn” training model, each session included a brief presentation from nationally recognized faculty followed by participant-led case presentations and collaborative peer-to-peer discussion. Session topics focused on dementia risk reduction, early detection, care navigation, caregiver support, and community advocacy. 

The Year 1 pilot included 22 CHWs from Alaska, Colorado, Maine, Mississippi, and Oklahoma. Following strong participant feedback, including 94% reporting they intended to apply what they learned in their communities, the program expanded in Year 2 from six to 12 sessions and included 21 CHWs from Arizona, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Missouri. Participants consistently reported applying new knowledge in both their professional roles and personal caregiving experiences.

Based on the success of the pilot, NACDD is developing a streamlined curriculum and implementation model that organizations can adapt to meet state and community needs. The goal is to expand access to high-quality training that equips CHWs with the knowledge and skills to improve brain health, dementia care, and caregiver support in communities across the country.