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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Program

Community Health Representative Mini-Cog Screening Pilot

nurses walking in a hallway

The IHS Alzheimer's Program provides funding to support Community Health Representative (CHR) programs to test screenings and other dementia-related services through short-term pilot projects.

The CHR Mini-Cog Screening Pilot is a multi-year project testing how well the Mini-Cog tool works to screen patients for memory and thinking issues in community settings. The project also helps develop a referral process for individuals needing follow-up care.

Project Goals

The CHR Mini-Cog Screening Pilot is designed to:

  • Increase dementia and Alzheimer’s awareness in American Indian and Alaska Native communities
  • Build peer-to-peer learning networks for CHRs
  • Improve data collection and documentation of screenings

Why Are CHRs Important in Dementia Care?

CHRs play a key role in supporting people with dementia and their caregivers. CHRs can:

  • Promote early detection and diagnosis.
  • Educate communities about dementia and brain health.
  • Connect individuals and families to local resources and support services.

Progress and Next Steps

The Community Health Representative (CHR) Mini-Cog Pilot Program included two cohorts in 2024 and 2025. The pilot tested CHR-administered Mini-Cog assessments in community settings and incorporated a referral process. It also highlighted opportunities to improve care coordination and system integration and confirmed that CHR-led screening is effective.

Across both pilots, the results showed:

  • 1,175 Tribal members screened by CHRs
  • 8 IHS areas represented
  • 26 CHR programs participated

Learn more about the Mini-Cog Pilot Program on the CHR program website.