Community Health Worker Training
Welcome and thank you for your interest!
In Spring 2024, Ohio University Lancaster will be launching a Community Health Worker training program in collaboration with Ohio Alliance for Population Health.
Since 2017, Ohio University has trained over 250 community health workers and we are proud of the work they have gone on to do to make Ohioans healthier, stronger, and more connected to health and social service resources. We pride ourselves in offering training at no cost to participants so that this opportunity is accessible to anyone interested!
"A Community Health Worker is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the CHW to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery" (American Public Health Association, 2023)
The Community Health Worker Training Program consists of 100 hours of classroom and didactic content, including homework and group assignments.
This is training that prepares you to be a Community Health Worker, so it is different from a traditional course. It is designed for adult learners. Once participants successfully complete the 100 hours, participants complete 130 hours in a community setting, where they practice skills and develop knowledge about community resources.
Participants are eligible for certification through the Ohio Board of Nursing once they have successfully completed both of these components. This is a significant time commitment, so please make sure that your schedule will allow you to complete these requirements. All in-person sessions are mandatory.
Community Health Care Workers
- A voice for the community in the healthcare system
- An invaluable asset to communities, and often share certain demographic features (e.g., socioeconomic status, experiences, language) with the community members they serve to promote health
- Community liaisons that help facilitate clients in their decision to make lifestyle and behavioral changes
"With Community Health Workers, it is truly about the community, and it does not matter who you are and what little letters [are] behind your name....that's the piece I really like."
Spring 2024 Training
Online class will be two hours, two days per week and mandatory in-person sessions will be one day per month with a schedule that is to be determined.
Online classes: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 pm to 8pm
Start Date: Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Instructor: Christina Wolf
Requirements to apply: You must provide proof of a high school diploma or GED to participate in the training and become a certified Community Health Worker.
If you have a charge on your criminal record, please contact us and we can talk about how to navigate this. There are options.
Stipends may be available. If you are interested, please complete the application.
Please read this message thoroughly before starting the application. This is a grant-funded program. You will receive an email notifying you of acceptance.
The deadline for this application is Friday, December 29, 2023. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
For more information, contact:
Kerri A. Shaw, MSW, LISW-S, CHW
Community Health Worker Program Coordinator
OHIO Alliance for Population Health
Ohio University
6805 Bobcat Way #267, Dublin, OH 43016
Phone: 740-707-4241
Email: shawk@ohio.edu