Free Community Health Worker Classes
Interested in helping others, giving back to your community, and building your professional skills? HCC is offering two free classes in community health worker (CHW) training! These are funded through a federal grant by the MassHealth Commonwealth Corporation Grant and Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA). The goal of these courses is to train paraprofessionals as community health workers, building foundational skills and practices with a focus on integrating behavioral health and addiction/substance use into health and human service settings.
Next Start Dates for Free CHW Classes:
- May 2020
- September 2020
See more information in the Timeline & Courses section below.
what will you gain?
- Core competency training which align with training requirements for State Certification for CHWs through the MA Department of Public Health (DPH)
- Health topics training (in behavioral health and substance use/addiction) which align with training requirements for State Certification for CHWs through DPH
- Dedicated tutoring while enrolled in program
- Dedicated advising and educational options for degree advancement
- A professional network of peers and instructors
- Training and skills sought by many employers
sept. – dec. '20 will further gain:
- 125 hours of field experience towards the 2000 hours required for state certification for CHWS through DPH, with documented supervision in core competencies
- Assistance with job placement during program and post-completion, as needed
eligibility requirements
May – Aug. '20:
- Currently employed as a community health worker (CHW) under/by an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) or a Community Partner organization (CP)
- Must commit to completing a 12-week class in summer
- Apply to HCC
- Must be eligible for college level English, or ENG 101 at HCC
- Attend information session at HCC
- Meet with program coordinator Amreen Shaikh
- If you are accepted into this grant-funded program, your classes, fees and books will be provided for free.
Questions? Please contact Amreen Shaikh at ashaikh@hcc.edu.
Sept. – Dec. '20:
- High school diploma or GED/HiSET
- Application and acceptance into HCC
- Eligibility for college English (completion of placement test or copy of transcripts of college-level English coursework)
- Complete HCC's CORI/SORI process prior to class registration
- Commitment to completing two classes over a nine-month period
- Passion for CHW role in health and human services
how do i apply & enroll?
Complete this Google form to get on the program's radar and receive more information about the application process!
timeline & courses
These two courses were designed to meet the criteria for state certification via pending regulations through the MA Department of Public Health.
|
January 2020 Start |
September 2020 Start |
|
Spring 2020 Semester HTH 124: Core Competencies & Health Topics for CHWs
Some online coursework required |
Fall 2020 HTH 124: Core Competencies & Health Topics for CHWs
Some online coursework required |
|
Summer 2020 May 26, 2020 – Aug. 13, 2020 HTH 124: Core Competencies & Health Topics for CHWs
Some online coursework required |
Spring 2021 HTH 209: Practicum Class for CHWs
125-hour practicum placement at a local service provider/health center (approx. 10 hours/week) |
Drug testing, CORI/SORI, and immunizations are required for all practicums.
Contact
Summer 2020 classes contact:
Amreen Shaikh
Project Coordinator
ashaikh@hcc.edu
413.552.2236
Fall 2020 classes contact:
Liv Anna Homstead
Special Project Coordinator
lhomstead@hcc.edu
413.552.2865
Rebecca Lewis, MSW, MPH
Project Director/Department Chair
rlewis@hcc.edu
413.552.2426
links
| Department Chair/HRSA Project Director | Rebecca Lewis | rlewis@hcc.edu | 413.552.2426 |
| Academic Certificate Coordinator | Janet Grant | jgrant@hcc.edu | 413.552.2445 |
| CHW Advisor | Liv Anna Homstead | lhomstead@hcc.edu | 413.552.2865 |
| Class Instructor (Saturday) | Kelly Lamas | klamas@hcc.edu | |
| Class Instructor (Saturday) | Aumani Harris | aharris@hcc.edu | |
| Class Instructor (M/W evening) | Angela Nunez-Vazquez | anunezvazquez@hcc.edu | |
| Class Instructor (M/W evening) | Stevaughn Smith | ssmith@hcc.edu | |
| CHW Tutor | Chrismery Gonzalez | cgonzalez@hcc.edu |
This project was supported by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) of the US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) under M01HP31268 Behavioral Health Workforce Education & Training (BHWET) Program. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS, or the US Government.
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CHWs make a difference
Community health workers make a real difference in the lives of their clients.
$1.6 million to train CHWs
HCC and area health centers received a $1.6 million HRSA award to train community health workers.
Welcome to FOH
Welcome to Foundations of Health at Holyoke Community College! Here's everything you need to know.
Career or Transfer?
Career or transfer – where do you want to go?
What's FOH Really Like?
Hear about the FOH program from recent grad Marielys.
CHW Careers
What kind of careers can you look for as a CHW?
-
CHWs make a difference
Community health workers make a real difference in the lives of their clients.
-
$1.6 million to train CHWs
HCC and area health centers received a $1.6 million HRSA award to train community health workers.
-
Community Health
Are you curious about a career as a Community Health Worker?
-
Welcome to FOH
Welcome to Foundations of Health at Holyoke Community College! Here's everything you need to know.
-
Career or Transfer?
Career or transfer – where do you want to go?
-
What's FOH Really Like?
Hear about the FOH program from recent grad Marielys.
-
CHW Careers
What kind of careers can you look for as a CHW?
-
Become a CHW
Are you looking for a job in healthcare helping others?
