YCOE Launches New Community Health Worker Certification Program

Woodland, CA – For those seeking to explore a career as a community health worker or promotores, the Yolo County Office of Education (YCOE) is launching a free health worker certification program this summer. The program offers participants strategies and skills that can be transferred and applied to future careers in health and social services.

The new program will initially offer two educational courses: the Community Health Worker Certificate and the Social Work and Human Service Work Readiness Certificate. Participants can enroll in one or both courses. Tuition for the courses is free. Textbooks and instructional materials will also be provided to participants at no cost.

“This is a great opportunity for community members to explore job roles in community health work and earn a certificate to add to their resume,” said An Ta, career preparation and adult education specialist with YCOE. “By participating in either course, participants will gain tools and a better understanding of how to navigate services for others and themselves.”

No specific prior training is required from applicants. Ta added, “We are looking for individuals who have the desire and enthusiasm to help others through outreach, education, social support, and advocacy. If you care about the well-being of others and want to make a difference in the community, we encourage you to apply for the program.”

To be eligible, participants must be 18 or older, have received a high school diploma, or passed the General Educational Development (GED) test. The program encourages participants to have basic computer skills. Participants in the course will be offered the opportunity to receive additional in-person or remote support if needed.

According to the California Health Care Foundation, a March 2023 report named community health workers and promotores as a “critical part of the health care workforce” with most health employers planning to hire more in the next year. In California, most hospital and clinic-based employers require a high school diploma as the minimum educational requirement for entry-level community health worker positions.

The Community Health Worker Certification is a 105-hour, non-credit certificate program designed for students who plan to pursue a career in community health or social work. The course will be taught virtually with instruction offered daily from June 12 to July 7.

The Social Work and Human Service Work Readiness Certificate is a 51-hour program. The course will offer hybrid instruction with participants required to complete 28 hours of self-guided online study and three full days of in-person training. The in-person training will be held on June 10, 17, and 24 in Woodland.

Individuals who are interested in the health worker certification program can apply online at the YCOE website at www.ycoe.org/communityhealth.