Community Health Workers (CHWs) play an integral role in supporting communities. Volunteer Health Advisors (VHAs) act as a bridge between the community and CHA.
After completing CHA's Community Health Workers training, people are invited to join CHA's Volunteer Health Advisor program. VHAs are respected community health workers who have a close understanding of CHA communities. This trusting relationship enables them to serve as a link between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. VHAs help reduce disparities in health care and health outcomes in under-served communities.
Successful Community Health Educators Look Like You!
CHA partners with people like you who are committed to improving the health of their communities. Community Health Workers are trained to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate community education for underserved and hard-to-reach populations. This work leads to better access to care and better health. Many of CHA's VHAs speak multiple languages, come from all over the globe and live or work in CHA’s surrounding communities.
The goal of the training program is to engage, train and empower Community Health Workers (CHWs) to deliver culturally responsive education and outreach to our communities.
A Taste of the Volunteer Responsibilities
- Delivering basic health education in disease prevention and wellness using culturally appropriate terms and concepts
- Providing health education presentations
- Raising community awareness about the availability of free and low-cost health care coverage
- Connect people to resources, activities and services
Training Program
After an interview process, you will complete an 80-hour training. The training is facilitated by CHA staff and Community Health Workers, and comprised of workshops, videos and experiential learning. Training topics range from health access and outreach, social influencers of health, system navigation, cultural humility, health assessments and advocacy.
Benefits to You
- Build a new social and professional network.
- Work for an innovative, award-winning program in a leading health care system.
- Receive numerous other benefits shared by associates of CHA.
- Gain skills and experience in the healthcare field by helping community members live healthier, more productive lives.
- Participate at no cost to you -- for individuals who currently work within or outside the healthcare system.
Who's Eligible?
You must:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Have experience working with community members and/or organizations.
- Exhibit strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
- Have intermediate/advanced English (both written and verbal) as the training is largely conducted in written and spoken English.
Join the team
VHAs Can Come to You
CHA’s Volunteer Health Advisors are often seen at CHA’s community events, such as health fairs, introducing CHA’s health programs and engaging communities in learning about habits that promote wellness. During these events, they provide culturally appropriate educational materials, resources and activities targeted at improving the well-being and health outcomes of local residents.
Health education and health promotion activities are related to the prevention of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia as well breast and cervical cancer.
Our educational services are available at no cost to non-profit organizations that reach diverse and medically-at-risk adult populations residing in the CHA service area. If you are interested in VHA Program participation in a health education or community event, please complete the VHA Event Request Form at least 3 weeks prior to the planned event.