The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #56292

Elizabeth M. Whitley, PhD, Denver Health, 777 Bannock St. MC 7779, Denver, CO 80204, 303-436-4071, lwhitley@dhha.org

Denver Health Community Voices and the Community College of Denver collaborate to offer a Community Health Worker certificate program. This unique educational program provides students with the skills and competencies necessary to obtain employment as a Community Health Worker. Following a review of the literature and consultation with Community Health Works of San Francisco, a needs assessment was conducted among community-based organizations and other health care providers employing Health Workers. Leaders from these agencies volunteer to teach modules of the program and to host interns during their field experience. The performance-based curriculum consists of 17-credit hours, including the field experience. Workplace Core courses include reading, communication and computer classes. Vocational Core courses provide a foundation of skills in community health work. The field experience allows students to apply classroom knowledge and to practice skills. The curriculum is offered through the Essential Skills Program in the college, which is subsidized by the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development. Students are recruited from Displaced Workers, Welfare to Work and TANF programs. Prerequisites include a 9th-grade reading level and high school diploma or GED. Of the twenty-student cohort that began the semester-long program in January 2002, 15 completed the program in May and obtained employment. All but 1 of the students received tuition grants and the Mayor’s Office of Workforce development provided stipends and paid field experiences. This successful partnership between a safety-net healthcare provider and a community college has created a community of learning that can be replicated elsewhere.

Learning Objectives:

• 3. Describe steps necessary to create a Community Health Worker education program.
  6. Identify potential community of learning partners and participants to co-create a Community Health Worker education program.
  9. Assess the core courses of the performance-based curriculum for relevancy to the work of Community Health Workers.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Community Voices grant from W.K. Kellogg Foundation and The Colorado Trust