Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
Project Title: Training Resources and Outreach for Yearly Health (TROY Health) Address: Troy University, 600 University Ave., Troy, AL 36082 Project Director: Jeffery Wade Forehand, PhD, DNP, RN-BC, CNE Contact Numbers: 334-670-3745 (tele), 334-670-3744 (fax) Email: jforehand@troy.edu Overview: Troy University aims to develop a certificate training program for Community Health Workers (CHWs) with an emphasis on the core competencies for CHWs and Public Health, focusing on health equity and social determinants of health (SDOH). Troy will recruit and train new CHWs and provide continuing education for existing CHWs using a newly developed curriculum. The CHWs will receive employment opportunity training through field placements and apprenticeship programs. Objectives: The Troy University CHW Training Program goals are (1) Expand the public health workforce by training new and existing CHWs; (2) Extend and upskill the public health workforce through new/enhanced academic curricula; (3) Increase CHW employment readiness through field placements and apprenticeships in collaboration with partner network; (4) Advance health equity and support for underserved communities by increasing number of CHWs integrated into health care teams; and (5) Monitor and collect relevant metric data for Troy’s CHWs program. Program objectives in service of these goals are: (a) Increase the number of CHWs in Alabama by graduating 90 trainees each year and provide professional development opportunities yearly for CHWs; (b) Develop and complete the online asynchronous course content employing subject-matter experts by Jan 2023; (c) Ensure that 25% of the 75% of CHW trainees participate in an apprenticeship program; (d) Increase the number of CHWs by 90 per year to be integrated in underserved communities across the state of Alabama for a total of 270 new CHWs across the state by the completion of the program; and (e) Establish program evaluation protocol and procedures to track program progress and outcomes so that the program may be sustained and applied by other organizations. HRSA Clinical Priorities: The project is consistent with HRSA’s strategic plan to foster a healthcare workforce able to address current and emergent needs, with objectives to advance the competencies of the health workforce and to optimize the distribution and diversity of the healthcare workforce. Method: The 10-module training curriculum will include instruction in the core competencies for CHWs and public health practices—patient advocacy skills, community outreach and engagement, communication skills, promoting healthy lifestyles; cultural competence; service coordination skills, assessment skills, health insurance basics, teaching skills, organizational skills, community capacity-building, professional conduct and interpersonal skills, and public health. New CHW trainees will gain experience and prepare for employment by field placements and apprenticeships in collaboration with the Montgomery Wellness Coalition (TWC) and the Alabama Association of Free and Charity Clinics (AAFCC), with other potential community partners brought on as needed. The program will provide a certificate of program accomplishment to confirm completion of training and will provide financial support to enable trainees to participate in the academic and experiential components. Trainees will be recruited from underserved populations, selected in accordance with the social vulnerability of the target communities, and will be placed in field sites as close as possible to those same communities. Funding Request: $3,000,000.00 over the 3-year period of funding
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
