CAI's free Community Health Worker Training Program—apply today!
Our free, three-month training course offers a combination of in-person training and on-the-job experience at a community agency that gives you the skills you need to kickstart your career in healthcare and become a community health worker!
We’re accepting applications for upcoming sessions through December 2024.
What does a community health worker do?
Community health workers (CHW) are educators and advocates. They serve as a bridge, connecting members of their community to resources including assistance accessing food, housing, transportation, and medical and mental health care.
What are the qualifications to apply?
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent (TASC, GED, etc.)
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Have proof of a COVID vaccination before the first day of training
- Possess a strong desire to help members of your community to get quality health care
How much will I earn while I’m being trained?
You will receive a stipend of $625 per month to help cover basic educational and living expenses while attending the program and a three-month Metro Card.
Will receiving a stipend affect my benefits?
A stipend is not considered earned income, as you will not be employed at your host site, but rather as “other additional income” for which a 1099 tax form will be provided to you.
We recommend that you speak to a benefits expert about your individual case to determine if our program’s stipend may affect your benefits.
Download our FAQ with resources to help you find answers to questions about benefits (175 KB PDF).
Will you help me find a job or an internship?
Yes! One-on-one career coaching will prepare you to enter the workforce and find a job that’s right for you. Community health workers can work in many different settings, including community-based organizations, hospital systems, and outpatient care.
You can also apply for a spot in our registered apprenticeship program. If accepted, you will be a paid employee and continue to strengthen your skills.
Where will the training take place?
- On-site training takes place at medical centers in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens.
- Classroom sessions are held at the CAI office: 505 Eighth Avenue, Suite 1900, New York, NY 10018-6505
Can I talk to someone about this program?
Yes! Send us an email and we’ll be in touch soon: CHWCertificate@caiglobal.org
Statement of physical demands
While completing the certificate program, the trainee is required to talk and hear. This certificate program requires the trainee to attend on-site training sessions and on-the-job visits to their assigned agency. The trainee is often required to sit and work at a desk for prolonged periods of time and use their hands and fingers to handle or feel. The trainee is sometimes required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The trainee must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times. Vision abilities required by this position include close vision.
These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary to successfully complete the CHW Training Certificate Program. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions to complete the program.
About the funder
This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a part of a financial assistance award with 0% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.