When doctors, nurses, health centers and other service-based organizations need to reach special and unique communities, they can call upon Community Health Workers (CHWs). While there are many definitions for Community Health Workers, a great way to describe them is, “trusted members of their community who empower their peers through education and connections to health and social resources.”

CHWs are increasingly at the focus of programs that provide health education about:

• Prevention of Disease and Injury
• Nutrition and Food Insecurity
• Mental Health
• Substance Misuse
• Community Services and Supports
• Other issues that affect the well-being of underserved communities

CHWs work with health professionals to make health services more accessible and strengthen their communities by empowering individuals and families to create positive change. Some of the key functions of a CHW are to:

• Facilitate health education groups
• Conduct outreach
• Plan and organize health fairs and other public events
• Makes referrals to family support, health, and social service agencies
• Participate in networking and collaboration meetings with providers, clients, and others

Apprenticeships are defined as, “an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally-recognized credential.”

Apprenticeships are beneficial because they provide:

• On-the-job learning
• Classroom learning
• Mentorship
• Credentials upon completion
• Payment for work performed while enrolled

Individuals enrolled in our program will be eligible for Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) or assigned to field placement sites.

Individuals enrolled in our training program will receive a stipend of up to $5,500 while completing their initial 62 hours of training and 500 hours of field placement. Upon completion, CHW trainees can expect to earn between $17 to $21 an hour while completing the remaining 82 hours of education and 1500 hours of on-the-job experience.

After completion of the program, you will have earned the required training hours and field experience toward your Florida State CHW Certification and be well-equipped to enter the workforce.

Enrollment Requirements

• Have less than 2 years of experience as a CHW*
• Have at least a high school diploma or GED
• Be a U.S. citizen or a foreign national with a permanent residency visa

The official designation for a certified Community Health Worker is CCHW. In the state of Florida, the Florida Certification Board (FCB) provides this designation after the completion of requirements which include uploading documentation and completing the CHW Certification Exam.

Note that while the official name of the certificate is CCHW, Community Health workers are known to be recognized under various titles depending on which type of organization they work for. Some examples include Promotores(as) de Salud, Health Educator, Outreach Worker, or Health Advocate.

Our Training Program provides a unique and effective pathway to certification. Get started below!

Please note:

• Individuals who already have Florida CHW certification are not eligible to participate in field placement or RAPs. They may be eligible for receiving additional training.
• New CHWs must be willing to complete CHW training following MHP Salud’s LEAD curriculum and participate in 500 hours of practice-based learning.
• Participation in the CHW training program is dependent on the availability of field placement sites in a given area.