Empowering Community Health Workers to Tell Their Story: HIO’s Monthly Training Series
By: Jennifer Bullock Moore, Marketing & Communications Consultant, Health Impact Ohio
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are trusted voices in communities across Ohio. They connect individuals and families to resources, help people navigate complex systems and address barriers that can have a lasting impact on health and well-being.
But CHWs aren’t just doing important work—they also have important stories to tell.
That’s why HIO offers monthly trainings for CHWs across the state, held on the second Friday of every month. The trainings are free for all participants, providing opportunities for CHWs to build their skills, strengthen their impact, and pursue continuing education in an affordable, accessible way. HIO is grateful to partner with the Weitzman Institute to offer monthly virtual continuing education through its education platform for the statewide trainings.
Building Skills Through Advocacy
In August, HIO’s statewide training series focused on media training as a tool for advocacy and awareness.
I was honored to lead the session for CHWs, CHW supervisors and HUB staff who want to feel more confident engaging with reporters, telling their stories and communicating the value of CHW work.
During the training, we explored why media engagement matters and how it can help CHWs amplify community voices, raise awareness about health issues and even influence policymakers and resource allocation.
We discussed practical strategies for working with different types of media, including television, radio, digital outlets, podcasts and social media, emphasizing the importance of developing clear, concise messages that still highlight the local impact of CHWs. As I shared, the goal isn’t to sound scripted. It’s to help CHWs communicate with confidence while remaining clear, warm and authentic. As the training emphasized, lived experience is a strength.
Continuing to Invest in Ohio’s CHW Workforce
HIO’s monthly statewide trainings are part of a larger commitment to supporting and strengthening Ohio’s CHW workforce.
Every month provides a new opportunity to learn, connect and grow. Whether the topic is advocacy, professional development, or community engagement, these trainings are designed to give CHWs practical tools they can take directly back to their communities.
By helping CHWs develop the skills and confidence to share their stories, HIO is helping to ensure that the voices of the people closest to Ohio’s communities are part of conversations about health, resources and the future of the state’s healthcare workforce.
Interested in joining an upcoming training?
HIO’s statewide CHW trainings are offered free of charge on the second Friday of every month. Be sure to subscribe to our monthly newsletter to learn more about how you can participate, and to keep up with updates!