Community Health Worker Program

Ohio University has trained over 250 community health workers since 2017 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!

Ohio University Southern launched a Community Health Worker (CHW) training program in collaboration with Ohio University's Integrated Services for Behavioral Health, Ohio Alliance for Population Health and the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service.

"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, 2018)

The CHW Training Program consists of 100 hours of classroom and didactic content, including homework and group assignments. This is a training that prepares you to be a CHW, so it is different from a traditional course. It is designed for adult learners. Once participants successfully complete the 100 hours, they will 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.

Community Health Care Workers are:

• A voice for the community in the health care 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."

2023 Training

Instructor: Kim Jones

Online classes:
Monday and Wednesday 4 – 6 p.m. 

Mandatory in-person classes: 

January 17 from 4 – 6 p.m.

February 14, March 20, April 20 from noon to 6 p.m.

Application Requirements: You must provide proof of a high school diploma or GED to participate in the training and become a certified Community Health Worker.

Here you can find information from the Ohio Board of Nursing about disqualifying offenses. If you have a charge on your criminal record, please contact me and we can talk about how to navigate this. There are options. You can also learn more about CHWs in Ohio at https://nursing.ohio.gov/licensing-certification-ce/community-health-workers/.

Stipends may be available. If you are interested, please check with your employer to see if you are permitted to receive a training stipend. Stipends are not guaranteed. All training supplies are provided by Ohio University including a textbook and vitals kit.

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 December 29. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Community Health Worker Application

For more information, contact: