Temple community health worker training program improves community health equity

Introduction

In a significant step towards enhancing community health equity, Temple University's Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships has launched an innovative Community Health Worker (CHW) training program. This initiative aims to bridge the gap in healthcare access for underserved populations by equipping community members with the skills and knowledge needed to advocate for their health needs.

Temple University's Lenfest Center, established in 2021 with approval from Temple's Board of Trustees, has been serving the community for decades. It houses 15 different programs, focusing on adult literacy, workforce development, positive youth development, and community capacity building. The Community Health Worker Training Program is one of its signature initiatives, designed to empower community members in their roles as health advocates.

The Importance of Community Health Workers

Community Health Workers are lay people from the community who have been trained to function as members of the healthcare team. They serve as a bridge between patients and the healthcare system, advocating, facilitating, and organizing access to health and social services for identified groups of patients. These CHWs are particularly crucial in under-resourced communities where access to healthcare is limited.

Key Functions of CHWs

• Advocacy: They advocate for patients' needs, ensuring that their voices are heard and their concerns addressed.
• Facilitation: They facilitate access to healthcare services by providing guidance and support.
• Organizing: They organize health-related activities and services, making them more accessible and efficient.
• Liaison: They serve as liaisons between high-risk, high-cost patients and their healthcare providers.
• Home Visits: They visit patients in their homes, providing personalized care and support.
• Clinical Accompaniment: They accompany patients to clinical appointments, ensuring they receive the necessary care.

The Need for Training

While the functions of CHWs may vary based on the size and type of practice, healthcare specialty, or patient needs, all CHWs must possess fundamental competencies to be successful. These include:

• Understanding health issues and conditions
• Basic first aid and emergency response
• Health education and promotion
• Case management and client navigation
• Cultural competence and communication skills
• Utilization of health care services

Temple University's training model prepares individuals with these basic skills, focusing on real-life scenarios and community-specific needs.

The Temple University Community Health Worker Training Program

Temple University's Community Health Worker Training Program is designed to provide the core competencies needed for work in community-based care. The program is live-virtual with some self-paced asynchronous components, running for 14 weeks. It covers 10 modular topics, including:

• Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
• Health Education and Counseling
• Case Management and Client Navigation
• Community Organizing and Advocacy
• Culturally Competent Care
• Communication Skills
• Basic First Aid and Emergency Response
• Health Systems Navigation
• Program Evaluation and Monitoring
• Professional Development

Upon completion, participants are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and techniques to better meet the needs of clients and patients they serve. The program also positions participants to fulfill the 75-hour education requirement for the Pennsylvania State Certified Community Health Worker (CCHW) credential through the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB).

Impact on Community Health Equity

The Community Health Worker Training Program at Temple University's Lenfest Center aims to improve community health equity by addressing the unique barriers faced by underserved populations. These populations include opportunity youth, adults without a high school diploma, individuals with disabilities, English Language Learners (ELLs), immigrants, returning citizens, and veterans.

Benefits for Underserved Populations

• Improved Access: By training community members who are already connected to the community they serve, the program enhances access to healthcare services for those who need it most.
• Cultural Competence: The training emphasizes cultural competence, ensuring that CHWs can communicate effectively with patients from diverse backgrounds.
• Empowerment: By empowering community members to advocate for their own health needs, the program promotes self-reliance and community empowerment.

Success Stories

While specific success stories are not quantified here, the program's design and the testimonials from program participants indicate its potential to make a significant impact. Participants often share stories of how they have helped family members or neighbors access critical healthcare services that they might have otherwise overlooked.

Conclusion

Temple University's Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships has made a significant stride in improving community health equity through its innovative Community Health Worker Training Program. By providing comprehensive training to community members, the program aims to bridge the gap in healthcare access for underserved populations. The curriculum's focus on cultural competence, health education, and advocacy skills positions CHWs as essential agents in promoting better health outcomes and lower healthcare costs.

As the program continues to grow and evolve, it is clear that Temple University's Lenfest Center is committed to empowering communities and enhancing workforce development. This initiative not only benefits the individuals participating in the program but also contributes significantly to the overall health and wellness of the community.

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References https://lenfestcenter.temple.edu/career-development-programs https://universitycollege.temple.edu/harrisburg/course-catalog/health-wellness/community-health-worker-training-program https://noncredit.temple.edu/chwapp https://lenfestcenter.temple.edu/career-development-programs/community-health-worker