OCHIN+ Community Health Workers Training Program

Award Date: November 11, 2022

Program Overview

OCHIN received a nearly $3 million grant from HRSA to support a community health workers training program in collaboration with five partners in Oregon. The program is designed to improve and sustain access to whole-patient care for rural and medically underserved communities, while creating new career paths that expand economic opportunity and strengthen the state's health care workforce.

Geographic Scope

• Primary Focus: Oregon
• Target Communities: Rural and medically underserved communities

Program Goals

1. Attracting and Keeping New Talent: Create family-sustaining career opportunities and career ladders for people who may have otherwise found a career in health care unattainable
2. Building a Skilled and Resilient Workforce: Scale workforce development programs for health centers coping with staff shortages and financial challenges
3. Ensuring Access to Whole-Patient Care: Connect patients to non-medical support and conduct community outreach addressing contextual factors influencing health outcomes

Training Program Details

Target Participants: 240 community health workers

• 180 new to working in health care
• 60 with some experience looking to increase skills and advance careers

Registered Apprenticeship Component:

• Partnership with Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries
• Anticipated 45+ apprenticeship program graduates during grant period

Training Delivery:

• Remote learning coursework
• In-person experiential learning at partner sites
• Stipends provided to ensure financial resources are not a barrier
• Employment support within OCHIN network after successful program completion

Focus Areas

• Non-Medical Services: Screening for non-clinical drivers of health and connecting patients to food banks or housing resources
• Medicaid Reimbursement: Enabling health centers to bill Medicaid for community health worker services, enhancing financial sustainability
• Whole-Person Care: Supporting Oregon's Medicaid transformation

Partner Organizations (Oregon)

1. Lincoln County Health & Human Services
2. Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center
3. One Community Health
4. Multnomah County Health Department
5. Rogue Community Health

Key Leadership

• Jennifer Stoll, Executive Vice President of External Affairs, OCHIN
• William North, Executive Officer, Rogue Community Health

Broader Context

The program is part of OCHIN's mission to develop the health care workforce of the future through its expanding OCHIN+ training and professional development portfolio. Learnings from this program will allow for future scaling to other areas of Oregon and beyond.

Contact

For application information and more details, visit the OCHIN+ website at ochin.org/ochin-plus/

Application Process

Status: Applications were opening at the time of announcement (November 2022)

How to Apply:

1. Visit the OCHIN+ website (ochin.org/ochin-plus/)
2. Review eligibility requirements and application materials
3. Submit completed application

Required Qualifications:

• Individuals interested in community health worker training
• Preference for those in rural and medically underserved communities
• No prior health care experience required (program designed for new entrants and experienced workers)

Program Support Provided:

• Stipends during training
• Remote and in-person learning options
• Employment placement support within OCHIN network