Community Health Worker Training Program

We train and educate frontline public health workers who help our community get access to health care and services.

Asian American Center of Frederick is a Maryland state accredited training and apprenticeship center for Community Health Workers.

The program is designed specifically for individuals looking to work in the field of community healthcare advocacy for the first time, as well as those already established in the field and looking to up-skill. Through this training, we aim to bridge the healthcare gap for Limited English Proficiency communities with an overarching goal of equity in healthcare for all.

This program aims to:

• Strengthen the public health workforce with new or enhanced curricula
• Increase CHW and health support worker employment readiness through a network of partnerships advance health equity and support for underserved communities by increasing the number of CHWs and health support workers
• Reduce health and disparities and help underserved residents achieve health equity
• Increase access to care and prevention services for COVID-19 and other public health emergencies in underserved communities

Who is a Community Health Worker?

A Community Health Worker (CHW) is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables a CHW to serve as a liaison to, link to, or intermediary between health and social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. A CHW also builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self‐sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, the provision of information to support individuals in the community, social support, and advocacy.

Maryland’s CHW Core Competencies:

1. Advocacy and community capacity building skills
2. Effective oral and written communication skills
3. Cultural competency
4. Understanding of ethics and confidentiality issues
5. Knowledge of local resources and system navigation
6. Care coordination support skills​
7. Teaching skills to promote healthy behavior change
8. Outreach methods and strategies
9. Understanding of public health concepts and health literacy

Why become a Community Health Worker with AACF?

In addition to high quality curriculum and virtual training options, AACF offers its trainees financial support to offset the costs associated with training, including computer supplies, text books, childcare, transportation, etc.

What are the benefits of working with a Community Health Worker?

Community health workers are a crucial and supportive link between health and social services and the communities they serve. From facilitating health care access to improving the well-being of community members, community health workers provide a service that positively impacts the lives of the nation’s vulnerable groups.

Funding Agencies

This program is funded by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Maryland Department of Labor: Employment Advancement Right Now (EARN) Program, and Maryland Department of Health.

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