Wednesday, February 5, 2025
2/5/2025
Project Abstract Address: United States Virgin Islands Department of Health, 3500 Estate Richmond, Christiansted, USVI, 00820 Principal Investigator: Janis M Valmond, MS, DrPH, CHES Project Director: Joan Jean-Baptiste, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-CP Contact Phone Numbers: 340-718 1311 xt 3865; 340-643-9285 Email address: janis.valmond@doh.vi.gov; joan.jean-baptiste@doh.vi.gov Website address https://doh.vi.gov Funds requested: $2,908,610 for the three-year project period The United States Virgin Islands Department of Health will develop a regional Community Health Worker Training Program (USVI CHWTP) to train at least 150 community health workers and health support workers and 50 Community Health Worker Trainers over the life of the project, targeting trainees from diverse disparity populations in the USVI, other US territories, and beyond, to include the Caribbean nations that are closely intertwined with the USVI and US mainland through a shared heritage and a history of population migration and assimilation. The CHW/HSW proposed training model use a hybrid delivery of in-person lectures, virtual platforms and field work/experiential didactic learning opportunities based on culturally adaptable curricula focused on key competencies, prevention and management of chronic conditions, response to public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic and addressing the social determinants of health that drive the health disparities and negatively impact health outcomes for the chronically underserved populations in the target regions. New and currently employed trainees will be recruited widely, complete a 4-week basic and/or advanced training, to include a pathway to certification, and opportunities to participate in apprenticeships. A Train-the-Trainer/Instructor 16-week course will be 100% virtual and place emphasis on virtual-Instructor Led Training (v-ILT). Currently, the territory is piloting, evaluating, and refining a CHW training curriculum for newly employed CHWs, in partnership with the University of the Virgin Islands, the first time this has been implemented in the USVI. Through the USVI CHWTP, the VIDOH will achieve the program goal to expand the local public health workforce by providing additional training for current CHW and health support workers, advocating for the employment of at least ten (10) new CHW and health support workers in the USVI by the end of the three-year project period, and training at least fifty (50) Trainers/Instructors who can then serve as trainers in their local jurisdictions or organizations. The training program will include material support for eligible trainees based on need, to include a stipend of $7500 per year; a laptop and portable hotspot to facilitate training on the use of technology and remove barriers to virtual learning; and tutoring and counseling services will be provided. Trainees will enroll at no cost, sponsored by the VI DOH. The VIDOH will amend the current Memorandum of Agreement with the University of the Virgin Islands-Caribbean Exploratory Research Center within the School of Nursing to conduct program evaluation if awarded. The two local Federally Qualified Health Centers, the Department of Health Clinics and the two local hospitals will be sites for training and field work. Hospitals on the mainland have long used trained community health workers as patient navigators in the emergency departments, and to connect clients to follow up services and resources upon discharge, especially for those who have difficulty with personal financial resources and other barriers such as language or disability. The USVI Department of Health is requesting $2,908,610 to implement this critical program aimed at expanding the public health workforce through the use of highly-trained community health workers and health support personnel, key strategies to reducing health disparities, addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and achieving health equity for the un derserved populations
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).