Community Health Worker Certification

Community Health Worker Certification Program: Developing Community Health Workers who excel in coordinating the care of those most at risk for poor health.

PROGRAM DATES

HCAN offers programs throughout the year.

A session is scheduled for 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Mondays and Fridays from Oct. 2, 2023- Feb. 2, 2024.

The following sessions are scheduled Mondays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

(Evening classes are scheduled for Mondays and Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. this will be a virtual course)

  • Fall 2023: Oct. 2 – Feb. 2, 2024
  • Spring 2024: Feb. 5 – May 24, 2024
  • Spring Evening 2024: Jan. 8 – April. 24, 2024
  • Fall 2024: Aug. 26 – Dec. 6, 2024

PROGRAM APPLICATION:  Online Application – Community Health Worker Certification Program

FEE and TUITION:  Application Fee and Tuition Payment

ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATION OPPORTUNITY:  Optional CPR certificates are available for $90. When applying, indicate whether you plan to participate in this additional training.

How do you become a Certified Community Health Worker?

Health Care Access Now delivers an approved training program and is a leader in developing Community Health Workers in Cincinnati. Our 15 week training programs will give you the skills you need to provide community based Care Coordination to those most at risk for poor health outcomes. View or download the Program Brochure.

Training and Certification

The Community Health Worker Certification Program includes 100 hours of classroom training that addresses the core competencies in health, knowledge of social service resources, communication skills, advocacy, CPR certification, lifespan development and basic community health worker skills. The in-class portion of the program will be held on consecutive Mondays and Fridays, 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at our 4966 Glenway Avenue location. Full attendance is required for all in-class coursework. 

Students must also complete 130 hours of a community-based practicum as required by the Ohio Board of Nursing for state certification. Health Care Access Now assists students to identify and complete the required community-based practicum with local hospitals, health care providers and nonprofit organizations.

Upon completion of the classroom training and community-based practicum, students are qualified to apply to the Ohio Board of Nursing for a certificate to practice as a Certified Community Health Worker. 

To become certified in Ohio you must attend an approved training program, submit an online application to Ohio Board of Nursing, and meet all requirements to obtain a certificate.

Requirements

  • A resident of Ohio
  • $250 non-refundable course application fee
  • Completed physical and updated immunization, including TB testing
  • A copy of a high school diploma or GED documentation
  • A copy of the applicant’s government-issued photo identification to verify 18 years of age
  • A 75 percent competency level in each skill evaluation
  • Acceptable BCI (civilian) and FBI (federal) criminal records check (not included in the cost of tuition), before participating in the community-based practicum

Program Policy

  • See Program Administrator

Fees

Non-refundable application fee of $250. Full program tuition is $4,000 and covers all textbooks, materials, additional trainings and professional networking.

Online Payment of Application Fee and Tuition

Tuition Assistance

If you are currently employed in the health care industry, please check with your employer to see if there is any assistance with some or all of the cost of tuition.

Those who do not receive tuition assistance from their employer may be eligible for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds through the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services. Please contact us at (513) 707-5696 or info@healthcareaccessnow.org to start the WIOA application process. You must also complete the online program application.

Ohioans who meet these criteria may qualify for the WIOA funds:

  • Adults over the age of 18, who are eligible to work in the United States of America and, if applicable, registered for Selective Service.
  • Dislocated Workers who have lost their job through no fault of their own.
  • Youth aged 14-24 with special conditions including low-income, pregnant or a parent.

Scholarships

There are limited scholarships available for the Community Health Worker Certification Program. Please contact Shinese Moye (contact information listed below) for more information about available scholarships.

Contribute to the HCAN CHW Certification Program Scholarship Fund, here.

Questions?

To learn more about the Community Health Worker Certification Program please contact Shinese Moye at 513-722-5267 or smoye@healthcareaccessnow.org.