The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), today announced the availability of $226.5 million in funding from the American Rescue to launch the Community Health Worker Training Program. This new program will increase the number of community health workers who play a vital role in connecting people to care, including COVID care; mental health and addictions prevention, treatment and recovery services; chronic disease care; and other important health services.
“The Biden-Harris administration is committed to building a strong public health workforce — the first line of defense to prevent disease, protect health and ensure public safety,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said. . “This funding will support these health workers – who know their communities and are trusted by them – as they keep their neighbors healthy, including throughout the COVID-19 response, by helping patients enroll in vital services and providing community education, outreach and support. .”
the Community health worker training program is a new multi-year program focused on education and on-the-job training to build the pool of public health workers. This effort will support training and learning programs to help more people enter the healthcare workforce and play the vital role of trusted messengers to connect people to care and support, help ensure patients follow the recommendations from their provider and focus on the preventive and protective factors that can improve health and well-being.
“At a time when too much misinformation is clouding the healthcare landscape, we are investing in training community health workers who are trusted voices in their communities,” said HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson. “This new program will develop and train this critical part of our healthcare workforce and connect them to the communities and employers who need them most.
This program builds on historic investments the administration has made through the U.S. bailout and supports community health workers, who are engaged in critical COVID-19 vaccine awareness and building trust in vaccines in our hardest hit and most at-risk communities throughout the pandemic. . Many of these people were hired from the communities they serve, resulting in a diverse body of people who are typically underrepresented in our healthcare workforce.
Community health workers are also known as promotores de salud, community health advisers, outreach workers, patient navigators, and peer counselors and may include people with lived experience whose experience helps inform their work.
Through this program, HRSA plans to train 13,000 community health workers, increase access to care, improve response to public health emergencies, and meet the public health needs of underserved communities.
To learn more about eligibility and to apply for the Community Health Worker Training Program, visit Grants.gov. Applications are due June 14, 2022.
Learn more about HRSA’s efforts to support health workers and see HRSA news funding opportunities.
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