Community Health Worker (CHW) Program
The Community Health Worker (CHW) program was established at Kapiʻolani Community College in Spring 2017 but was reinvigorated through the Hawai’i State Department of Health (DOH)-UH Contact Tracing Training Program grant in 2020. Since its inception, the program has graduated a total of 189 students. We are pleased to start another statewide CHW cohort for the Fall 2022 and Spring and Summer 2023 Semesters.
The CHW program prepares students to function as patient advocates, linking disadvantaged populations with community healthcare resources. A CHW is a trusted member of the community and a valuable part of a healthcare or social services team. Also known as outreach workers or navigators, CHWs provide health education and care coordination. They help others take action and promote healthy communities.
Our next full-time cohort will begin in Fall 2022 (August 2022). All classes are offered online; however, there will be an in-person practicum component in the last course of the certification. Books are provided and the tuition is currently covered through a partnership with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health (HIDOH).
Info for potential students:
Online classes begin on August 22nd and will be offered part time, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-8:30pm. More scheduling details to come. The courses and term schedule are as follows:
| Fall 2022 |
| CHW 100: Community Health Worker Fundamentals |
| CHW 130: Intro to Counseling and Interviewing |
| Spring 2023 |
| CHW 135: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention |
| CHW 140: Case Management |
| Summer 2023 |
CHW 145: Community Health Worker Practicum Experience |
If you are interested in participating in the program, please follow the steps below.
- Apply to Kapiʻolani Community College (KCC) for Fall 2022 at your earliest convenience, deadline is August 1, 2022 but the sooner you can get enrolled in the college the better. Be sure to select “Community Health Worker” as your major.
- AFTER you have been ACCEPTED to KapCC fill out this google form.
- Attend a CHW info session via Zoom (Meeting ID: 941 2554 0902). You are welcome to attend an info session prior to completing steps 1 & 2.
- Upcoming dates are below:
- Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at 12 PM
- Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at 5:30 PM
- Saturday, July 16, 2022, at 9:30 AM
- Upcoming dates are below:
Once you have completed all three steps and are accepted into the program, KCC will send out registration instructions.
Interested in hiring CHWs or being a practicum site?
If you are interested in hiring CHWs or becoming a practicum site or apprenticeship partner, please email:
Hilary Hacker
CHW Recruitment Facilitator
hackerh@hawaii.edu