A Community Health Worker (CHW) is a frontline public health worker who has a close understanding of the community he or she serves. CHWs help individuals, families, groups, and communities develop access to resources, including health insurance, food, housing, and quality care.

This online program consists of 120 hours of lecture (plus an  8-hour Mental Health First Aid certification training), along with a 50-hour required internship experience. The program will prepare students to perform a wide range of activities to increase the community's health knowledge and self-sufficiency, including outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support, and advocacy. Students will also learn how to make home visits to chronically ill patients, pregnant women and nursing mothers, individuals at high risk of health problems, and the elderly.

 (Tuition includes textbook, Mental Health First Aid Certification, and internship placement)

Community Health Worker (CHW) Program offered at HCC is approved by CT Department of Public Health.

Learning Objectives:

• Students will be able to identify issues related to public health and the healthcare system that affect the delivery of client services.
• Students will be able to access resources and health education information to respond to clients' needs.
• Students will be able to recognize differences in cultural health beliefs and apply models for practicing cultural humility.
• Students will be able to practice motivational interviewing with a client-centered counseling approach.
• Students will be able to develop behavior action and change plans for clients.
• Students will be able to communicate effectively with both employers and clients.
• Students will be able to conduct safe home visits.