In this article, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. "Certified community health worker" means a community health worker to whom the department has issued a certificate to practice as a certified community health worker in this state.

2. "Community health worker" means a nonmedical health worker who serves as a liaison for health and community service providers and enrollees to facilitate access to services and improve the quality of service delivery, including the coordination of services to improve medical and behavioral health outcomes.

3. "Department" means the department of health services.

4. "Director" means the director of the department.

5. "Practice as a certified community health worker" means a community health worker’s application of the education, training and experience in the core competencies to effectively provide services to the communities and populations that the community health worker serves through one or more of the community health worker’s roles.