CHW Leadership Institute
The Institute for Public Health Innovation invites you to join our Community Health Worker (CHW) Leadership Institute—a FREE program designed to empower experienced and dedicated CHWs. The program will provide the skills and knowledge needed to take on leadership roles and influence community and system change.
APPLICATION TIMELINE:
Deadline to Apply: | December 8, 2024 |
Candidate Review & Selection: | Month of December 2024 |
Notification of Selected Applicants: | Mid - January 2025 |
Program Launch: | February 2025 |
ELIGIBILITY:
- 18 years and older
- US Citizen or Permanent Resident authorized to work in the U.S.
- High School Diploma or GED
- Meet the following residency requirments
- District of Columbia – All Wards
- Maryland – Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, Anne Arundel County, Charles County, Howard County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, St. Mary’s County
- Northern Virginia – Alexandria City, Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William and Loudon Counties
- Previous formal CHW training in core competencies skills, and roles
- Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience as a CHW
BY THE END OF THIS COMPREHENSIVE SIX-MONTH PROGRAM, YOU WILL:
- Master Leadership Core Competencies
- Boost Your Confidence in taking on new leadership roles and responsibilities
- Expand Your Career Pathways with a deep understanding of how to apply leadership skills to pursue diverse opportunities
- Grow Your Professional Network and connect with like-minded professionals
COURSE MODULES INCLUDE:
- Personal Leadership: Discover your unique leadership style and strengths
- Advanced Communication Skills: Hone your ability to lead through effective communication
- Program Management: Learn to manage programs with efficiency and impact
- Leading People and Projects: Master the art of leading teams and initiatives
- Using Data for Continuous Improvement: Leverage data to drive success and improvement
- Career Skills: Equip yourself with the tools to advance your career
KEY INFORMATION
Timeframe: | February - July (six months) |
Time Commitment: | Students can anticipate dedicating approximately 60 hours total to the program (10 hours per month). This will look like four hours of classroom time per month + outside work. |
# Of Students for 2025 Class: | 10 - 15 students |
Cost: | FREE! |
Complete Application Process: | Online application |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
We will continue to update Frequently Asked Questions as needed. Please review previous questions below to see if your question has been answered.
Can I apply if I am currently in CHW Core training?
Candidates should have completed CHW core competency training from an accredited training provider by the time the CHW Leadership Institute begins in February 2024. If you are currently enrolled in a training that will be completed by the end of January 2025, you may still apply and provide documentation from your training provider of enrollment and projected completion date. Preference will be given to candidates who have already completed training at the time of application.
Do I need to be certified to apply to the CHW Academy Leadership Institute?
You do not need to be certified to apply to the CHW Academy Leadership Institute. Certification is not available in Washington, DC, and we did not want any otherwise experienced CHW within that jurisdiction to feel they could not apply.
I submitted my application but did not write down the details of the additional information requested. What else is needed to complete my application?
Your application is not considered complete until we have received the items below.
- Resume
Please send a current resume.
- Letters of Recommendation
Please submit two (2) letters of recommendation from people who can provide evidence demonstrating why you are a good candidate for this leadership program geared toward experienced community health workers.
If you are currently employed, at least one letter should be from an employer or supervisor. Letters can also come from people outside of those you work with through employment, such as representatives from volunteer work or community positions such as an advisory or community board. Select individuals who can attest to your leadership attributes and skills.
- CHW Training Documentation
Please share your Certificate of Completion from the entity where you received your initial CHW Core Skills training. If you no longer have a Certificate of Completion or transcript, you may substitute it with a letter from your employer confirming that you have completed training from an accredited CHW training provider
What type of information are you looking for in the letters of recommendation?
Letters of recommendation for a leadership program should highlight aspects of your character, abilities, and potential, focusing on qualities that demonstrate readiness for leadership growth. A strong letter will provide specific qualities that set you up for success, show that you have the potential to excel and grow in your career with the support of a leadership program. Additional examples information you might ask the individual to include are:
- An example of a time when you demonstrated that you had the skills and qualities of a leader
- Observations of how you have worked with or led others to complete a shared goal
- Confirm your track record of effective CHW practice
These are just suggestions and not requirements. We welcome other perspectives that might help the selection committee understand who you are as a CHW, and whether participation in the Leadership Institute will benefit not just you, but also the community that you serve.
How do I submit the supporting documentation requested in the online application?
Please send the additional documents requested to [email protected], with subject line: Leadership Institute – Supplemental Application Documents
Ready to Step into Leadership? Take the next step in your career with the CHW Leadership Institute and become a leader in your community!
Do you have questions about the Leadership Institute? Please reach out to [email protected] and indicate “Leadership Institute Question” in the subject.
This program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $3 million with 0 % financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.
The CCHW was launched in 2013 to grow opportunities for peer-based workforce strategies. Specifically, the center was created to develop and support the community-based health workforce and CHWs. The new name, Zee Turner Center, is in memory of CHW Zhilphia “Zee” Turner. Zee Turner was an IPHI employee who dedicated 15 years of her life to serving the Washington, DC, area. As someone who lived with a chronic health condition for 24 years and overcame adversity, Zee used her experience to help communities with substance use addiction and HIV/AIDS.
