Community Health Worker

Community Health Workers’ (CHW) role is evolving and the need is increasing for our health and community service organizations. CHWs are a vital in helping individuals and families navigate the healthcare system and connect people to available services.

CCAPE has been selected as one of two community colleges to provide CHW Certification training as part of a state-wide initiative. Over the next three years (2023-2025) we are planning to provide not only the CHW Certification program, but also many cross training programs that will prepare participants for many different CHW roles.

We are in the process of seeking approval to offer a state-approved CHW program that will hopefully begin Summer 2023.

What is a Community Health Worker?

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health uses the following functional definition of a Community Health Worker (CHW).

CHWs are public health workers who apply their unique understanding of the experience, language and/or culture of the populations they serve in order to carry out one or more of the following roles:

Providing culturally appropriate health education, information and outreach in community-based settings, such as homes, schools, clinics, shelters, local businesses and community centers
Bridging and/or culturally mediating between individuals, communities and health and human services, including actively building individual and community capacity
Assisting people to access the services they need
Providing direct services, such as informal counseling, social support, care coordination and health screenings
Advocating for individual and community needs

CHWs are distinguished from other health professionals because they:

Are hired primarily for their understanding of the populations and communities they serve
Spend a significant portion of time conducting outreach in the categories above
Have experience providing services in community settings

Excerpt from Department of Public Health CHW webpage http://www.mass.gov/service-details/what-is-a-community-health-worker.

For More Information

For the latest information on classes, trainings and other educational opportunities hosted by Cape and Islands AHEC, contact Steve McLeod, Cape and Islands AHEC Director at 508.375.5004 or email smcleod@sjyskf.com.

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This project described is supported by HRSA Grant No. U77HP03016 from the Health Resources and Services Administration of the US Dept. of Health and Human Services. This information should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the US Government. Cape and Islands AHEC is part of the MassAHEC Network, a statewide system sponsored by the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, and a member of the National AHEC Organization.