How to Get Free Community Health Worker(CHW) Courses in the United States?

Community Health Workers (CHWs) play an important role in promoting health education, disease prevention, and community health management. As the focus on healthcare services and public health increases, more and more organizations are offering free CHW courses, lowering the barrier for those who are interested in entering this field.

Organizations that offer free CHW courses and their details

Here are some well-known organizations and course details that offer free or low-cost CHW training courses in the United States:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The CDC is one of the largest public health agencies in the United States, with a mission to promote health and prevent disease. The CDC offers a variety of free online training and resources to help public health workers improve their skills.

CDC's free community health worker training resources contain the latest CDC strategies and colorful and relevant pictures to help train community health workers who are being integrated into the medical team. It contains links to many related websites and products, as well as practical activities for community health workers. Certification is obtained after completing the program.

2. State and local public health departments (Washington State Department of Health)

Many state public health departments offer free CHW courses to residents to meet the health needs of local communities. For example, the CHW program offered by the Washington State Department of Health is one of the highest-quality programs in the nation.

The Washington State Department of Health’s free Community Health Worker Training is a ten-week online course offered quarterly with a certificate upon completion. All participants will gain valuable skills to help community members access health and social services. In addition, they will receive professional training, a regional community health worker network, and an exclusive local community health worker website.

3. Kaiser Permanente

As one of the leading healthcare providers in the United States, Kaiser Permanente not only provides healthcare services, but also actively supports the career development of public health workers. Their training programs are typically for internal employees, but are also open to external applicants.

The Community Health Worker Training offered by Kaiser Permanente is a free eight-week online and face-to-face training designed to strengthen the generic skills, knowledge, and abilities of community health workers and related roles. The training is offered four times a year. The training costs are fully covered by the state department of health.

4. Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic is known for its high-quality healthcare and offers free CHW classes through its Community Health Program. These classes are designed to improve the quality and coverage of healthcare services in the community.

Mayo Clinic offers free community health worker training for two days at the Mayo Clinic building, and 500 hours of service time are awarded after the training. Certification fees are paid by Mayo Clinic, and you get a job opportunity!

5. American Heart Association (AHA)

The American Heart Association focuses on health education and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Its CHW program focuses on helping communities improve health awareness and quality of life.

The community health worker training provided by the American Heart Association is designed to support community health workers in providing disease-related care to patients with or at risk for cardiovascular disease, and plays an important role in addressing cardiovascular care disparities.

Job Outlook for Public Health Workers

As community health needs increase, the demand for CHWs is growing rapidly. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for public health workers is expected to grow 13% over the next decade, much faster than the average for other occupations. Here are some highlights of the CHW career:

Salary: The average annual salary in 2023 is $46,000-$49,000, but specific salaries may vary by state and employer.

Employer Diversity: CHWs often work in government health departments, hospitals, nonprofits, community health centers, and more.

Flexibility: Many positions allow for remote work or part-time employment, making it convenient for those who want to balance family and career.

CHW training and certification are available for free through organizations such as the CDC, state health departments, Kaiser Permanente, Mayo Clinic, and the American Heart Association. These programs not only provide you with the necessary skills to enter the public health field, but they may also lead to lucrative job opportunities and career prospects.

If you are looking to enter the public health field and become a community health worker, now is the best time to do so. Choose the right training organization, apply for a course, and take the first step in your career advancement!