Community Health Worker Academy (CHWA)

What is a Community Health Worker?

Community Health Workers (CHWs) are trusted members of the communities they serve. They help people navigate healthcare systems, connect to essential resources, advocate for patients, and address barriers that affect health and well-being.

Today, CHWs are an increasingly important part of hospitals, clinics, public health agencies, and community organizations. By strengthening relationships between patients and providers, they improve communication, care coordination, and access to care.

National organizations, including the CDC and NIH, recognize Community Health Workers as an essential strategy for advancing health equity and improving patient-centered care.

As a Community Health Worker, you may:

• Connect patients with healthcare and community resources
• Help individuals navigate complex healthcare systems
• Provide health education and outreach
• Advocate for patients and families
• Support chronic disease management
• Improve communication between healthcare providers and the communities they serve

Program Overview

Program Dates: September – December (part-time)

Prepare for a rewarding career through a structured training program designed to develop the competencies Community Health Workers need to succeed in clinical and community-based settings.

What You’ll Receive

• Community Health Worker (CHW) Certificate
• 128-hour hybrid training program, including:
  • Six in-person Saturday sessions at CDU
  • Minimum 20 hours of supervised fieldwork
• One year of career coaching and job placement support
• $1,200 stipend upon successful completion
  

History of CHW

The Community Health Worker Academy was established to strengthen the role of Community Health Workers within today’s healthcare workforce.

In 2019, CDU convened Community Health Workers, healthcare leaders, researchers, students, and national experts to develop a standards-based curriculum focused on preparing CHWs for clinical practice.

This collaborative effort evolved through an early partnership with Providence, whose experience integrating CHWs into healthcare settings helped shape the Academy’s innovative approach to education and workforce development.

Our Mission

The Community Health Worker Academy advances health equity by preparing Community Health Workers to improve the health and well-being of underserved communities.

Our work focuses on four priorities:

• Education: Deliver standards-based training that prepares Community Health Workers for careers in clinical and community settings.
• Workforce Development: Partner with healthcare organizations to strengthen and expand the Community Health Worker workforce.
• Research: Generate evidence that supports the successful integration of Community Health Workers into healthcare teams.
• Advocacy: Promote policies and professional recognition that strengthen and advance the Community Health Worker profession.

Upcoming Cohort

Next cohort starts: January 26, 2026

Join our paid Community Health Worker training program designed for young adults ages 18–24 who are ready to begin a career in healthcare.

Program Requirements

• High school diploma or GED
• Authorization to work in the United States
• Los Angeles County resident
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred
• Four-month, full-time commitment (40 hours per week)

Program Benefits

• Paid training
• Online coursework via Zoom
• In-person internship at a hospital or clinic
• Community Health Worker certification
• Career coaching and job placement support