Health Impact Ohio Welcomes New Fall Cohort of Community Health Worker Certification Program
By: Jennifer Bullock Moore, Marketing & Communications Consultant, Health Impact Ohio
Health Impact Ohio is thrilled to welcome a new cohort of aspiring Community Health Workers (CHWs) this fall as part of its ongoing commitment to strengthening Ohio’s community-based health workforce.
Through its CHW Certification Training Program, HIO prepares aspiring CHWs to become trusted leaders, advocates and resource navigators within the communities they serve. The program equips participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to connect individuals and families to health care, social services and other resources that can address barriers to better health.
CHWs play an increasingly important role in bridging the gap between health care systems and the communities they serve. Often bringing lived experience, cultural understanding and deep community connections to their work, CHWs help individuals navigate complex health and social systems while building trust and creating meaningful connections to care.
HIO’s certification program is designed to build on those strengths while providing participants with the education, training and support needed to succeed in the role.
Out of 96 applications, 45 students were accepted into the fall cohort from more than a dozen counties across the state.
Following classroom training, participants complete 130 hours of practicum placement work within six months of graduation. The practicum provides an opportunity for students to put their knowledge into practice while gaining valuable experience working directly with individuals and communities.
Students also benefit from a strong support system throughout their training. HIO’s program includes experienced instructors, peer support navigators, practicum placement assistance, real-time classroom and technology support, and professional mental health support for students.
That comprehensive approach reflects HIO’s broader mission: to educate, equip and empower Community Health Workers to be competent and valued members of the health care system and the greater community.
For the newest HIO cohort, the fall training represents more than the beginning of a certification program. It is the beginning of an opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities.
As these students move through their training and into the field, they join a growing network of professionals committed to advancing health equity and improving the health and well-being of the communities they call home.
Learn more about HIO’s Community Health Worker Certification Training Program at healthimpactohio.org/certification-training-home.