HHS is giving $226.5 million in ARP funds to train health workers in local communities

Photo: Thomas Barwick/Getty Images

The Department of Health and Human Services is launching a Community Health Worker Training Program through $226.5 million in American Rescue Plan funding.

The new program will increase the number of community health workers who connect people to care, including COVID-19 care; mental health and substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery services; chronic disease care; and other health services, HHS said.  

The Health Resources and Services Administration plans to train 13,000 community health workers, which will increase access to care, improve public health emergency response, and address the public health needs of underserved communities.

Community health workers are also known as "promotores de salud," community health advisors, outreach workers, patient navigators and peer counselors. They can include individuals with life experience that helps inform their work. 

Applications, available on Grants.gov, are due by June 14.

WHY THIS MATTERS

The Community Health Worker Training Program is a new multi-year program focused on education and on-the-job training to build the pipeline of public health workers.

It will support training and apprenticeship programs to help more people enter the health workforce in local communities. The program will allow workers to help ensure patients follow up on their provider's recommendations and focus on preventive and protective factors that improve health and wellbeing.

"This new program will grow and train this essential part of our healthcare workforce and connect them to the communities and employers who need them most," said HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson.

THE LARGER TREND

This program builds on the investments of the American Rescue Plan, and supports community health workers, who have engaged in COVID-19 vaccine outreach and building vaccine confidence in the hardest-hit and highest-risk communities.

Many of these individuals have been hired from the communities they serve. The result is a diverse corps of people typically underrepresented in our health workforce, HHS said.

ON THE RECORD

"The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to building a robust public health workforce -- the first line of defense in preventing disease, safeguarding health and keeping the public safe," said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. "This funding will support these health workers – who know their communities and have their trust – as they keep their neighbors healthy, including throughout the COVID-19 response, by helping patients enroll in vital services, and by providing community education, outreach and support."

Twitter: @SusanJMorse
Email the writer: susan.morse@himssmedia.com