Community Health Workers (CHWs) play crucial roles in promoting and supporting the health of individuals, families, and communities. They are frontline public health workers who are trusted members of and/or have close understanding of the communities they serve.
This relationship allows them to be a link between health/social services and the community, to facilitate access to services, and to improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. CHWs build trusting relationships with their clients and help to conduct assessments, make referrals, offer health education, navigate complicated systems, and advocate for client’s needs.
September 14, 2024
The conference goal is to increase the knowledge, skills, and ability of health professionals, individuals in academia, and community members to more effectively advocate for Community Health Workers and their role in the healthcare delivery system.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Human Resources and Service Administration and sponsored by Creighton University’s Center for Promoting Health and Health Equity (CPHHE) and the Department of Health Sciences’ Multicultural and Community Affairs (HS-MACA), the Community Health Worker – Training Apprenticeship and Placement Program (CHW-TAPP) is:
The program’s purpose is to expand the public health workforce through training new and existing community health workers (CHWs) by extending their knowledge and skills.
Our program focuses on training and employment, through registered apprenticeships and placement. Individuals trained through the program will acquire knowledge, skills, and expertise to respond to health needs and public health emergencies in underserved communities.
The training consists of a 11-week online learning course. Participants will acquire core competences for Community Health Workers (CHWs) regarding public health and health services that follow state, local, and federal guidelines. They will also receive training on job readiness and workforce development during the initial training. Their knowledge will increase regarding chronic diseases and social determinants of health related to minority and underserved communities. This course prepares individuals with the basic CHW skills and knowledge with a focus on the core competencies set by public health entities.
Participants will receive a stipend up to $3,500 per year during their participation in the program, with completion. Participants will also receive an additional amount up to $1,600 to cover miscellaneous expenses, for childcare, travel, subsistence. & etc. for one year and will be provided a laptop.
CHW-TAPP also provides classroom learning and “on the job” training through field placement in community-based and community-focused organizations for some of its participants. Participants will receive a stipend during classroom instruction and paid wages from their employer during the apprentice phase.
Limited spots are available. Participants selected for the apprenticeship must be placed in a full-time paid, apprenticeship position at a Nebraska CHWTAPP site.
The registered apprenticeship requires completing 2,000 hours within one year. Participants who complete the apprenticeship will receive a certificate from the Department of Labor. Trainees may be able to continue beyond the one-year apprenticeship at employing agency’s discretion. The registered apprenticeship position will require a driver's license (or a state identification).
For the CHW Trainings (initial 10-week training, 6-month continued education and conferences), participants receive:
Those selected to participate in Apprenticeship and Placement Program will receive:
We look forward to your participation in our Community Health Worker Training Apprenticeship Program.
E-mail us at PhilipLomneth@creighton.edu or phone at 402.280.3833.
As trained professionals, CHWs help improve community members’ health in many ways. CHWs help people navigate or work with health and social service systems, understand and follow advice, take prescribed medications, and keep appointments. Community members know and trust CHWs. This trust helps CHWs support other health worker efforts with CHW’s communities, including follow up outside health centers, office, and clinics.
Adding CHWs to healthcare teams reduces needs for emergency and specialty services and increases community members’ follow through on health recommendations. Examples include greater vaccination rates and physical activity.1
CHW-TAPP provides classroom learning and on-the-job training through field placement in community-based and community-focused organizations for some of its participants. In the apprenticeship phase, employers provide wages for CHW apprentices.
Apprenticeship sites must provide a full-time, paid apprenticeship position at a Nebraska site. Each apprentice must be assigned a supervisor who will support their growth and track their monthly progress. The apprenticeship will begin in spring and run through spring of the following year.
Each apprenticeship site receives supportive funds from CHW-TAPP. Apprentices are provided with twice-monthly advanced training for 6 months and continue to receive their program stipend during the advanced training. Yearly seminars are offered at no cost for both apprentices and their on-site mentors.
The registered apprenticeship requires participants to complete 2,000 hours within one year. Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate of apprenticeship completion from the Nebraska Department of Labor.
Reach out today about adding a Community Health Worker to your workforce!
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To learn more about becoming an apprenticeship site, please call or email Philip Lomneth at 402.280.3833 or PhilipLomneth@creighton.edu.
1 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Bureau of Health Professions. (2007). Community Health Worker National Workforce Study.
This webpage is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $ 2,996,074. Eighty (80) percent of project expenses are covered by HRSA funds, with an additional twenty (20) percent of the project financed by Creighton University’s support of the Health Sciences-Multicultural and Community Affairs and the Center for Promoting Health and Health Equity. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.