The HAP Apprenticeship Program for Community Health Workers (CHWs)

Apprenticeship programs help people develop skills for a new career path, by incorporating on-the-job training (OJT) while the individual also receives education.

To support the growth of CHWs in the workforce, The HAP Foundation has registered a 1-year CHW Apprenticeship Program with the Department of Labor (DOL). Our program is designed to provide someone with the skills and instruction to become a CHW and support clients or patients who are seriously ill.

The program requires at least 144 hours of technical instruction and 2,000 hours of on-the-job training (OJT), which is about 1 year of experience.  Previous experience and education may be considered when determining the amount of time needed to complete the program.

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Who is eligible to participate? 

  • 18 years +
  • Must have a high school diploma or GED
  • Currently, the program is only available in English

What will the program provide?

The HAP Apprenticeship Program will provide:

  • A minimum of 144 hours of education, customized to meet the needs of various organizations and their employees.
  • Administration of the program, including all reporting and tracking to the DOL.
  • Support to employees in tracking OJT.

We are committed to working with leaders and experts to ensure the education we deliver is of the highest standards. The program is using content developed by:

  • American Cancer Society
  • American Heart Association
  • Alzheimer’s Association
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • Cleveland Clinic
  • Dialysis Patients Citizens
  • Illinois Public Health Association
  • Mayo Clinic
  • LES Turner ALS Foundation
  • Parkinson’s Foundation
  • Rush University

What are the benefits of an Apprenticeship Program?

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Healthcare Apprenticeship programs have more than doubled since 2016. This is attributed to the success of Apprenticeship Programs across the country and their effectiveness in solving workforce issues.

  • Apprenticeships allow an employer to recruit and train a diverse workforce that is prepared to work with diverse populations, signifying their commitment to the communities they seek to serve.
  • Data shows that individuals who participate in an apprenticeship program have greater loyalty to the employer, resulting in lower turnover.
  • Apprenticeships provide flexible and customizable training options to support professional development.
  • Apprenticeships address the need for cost-effective, sustainable workforce development solutions.
Employers Recommend Apprenticeship_FINAL

What education will participants receive?

Education will include up to 90 hours in the following areas, which are considered core competencies for a CHW:

  • General health and safety
  • Individual and community assessment skills
  • Outreach skills
  • Interpersonal and relationship building skills
  • Communication skills
  • Education and facilitation skills
  • Professional skills and conduct
  • Service coordination and navigation skills
  • Capacity building skills
  • Advocacy skills
  • Evaluation and research
  • Trauma Informed Care
  • General knowledge on health issues

In addition, 54 hours of education can be selected from the following categories: 

  • Living with a serious illness
  • Understanding hospice and palliative care including a personal reflection on death and dying
  • Overview of Advance Care Planning
  • Caregiving
  • Grief and loss

For the following categories education will include an overview of the disease, prevention and screening (if appropriate), treatment options and issues related to social determinants of health.

  • Cancer
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • Congested Heart Failure
  • Alzheimer’s/Dementia
  • End-Stage Renal Disease
  • Parkinsons
  • ALS
  • Stroke
  • HIV
  • Liver failure

What is required of the employer?

  • Investment in your team's growth by providing compensated time off for employees to fully engage in the 144 hours of educational activities over a 12-month span.
    • Some of the courses are scheduled with an instructor, while others can be taken any time during the year.
  • Access to a computer for the classroom part of the program.
  • Provide a mentor(s). This is a required component of an Apprenticeship Program. The HAP Foundation will provide support and guidance to the mentor.
  • Track the participants’ on-the-job training. HAP will provide a document each quarter that will need to be completed and returned.
  • An incremental adjustment in compensation during the program and after completion.

 What will participants receive?

Receiving a nationally recognized credential within an industry is also a component for an Apprenticeship Program. There is not currently a certification for CHWs in Illinois, however, The Community Health Worker Certification and Reimbursement Act (Public Act 410 ILCS 67) was passed in 2021. This law calls for the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to establish a CHW Certification Program (“Program”).

Illinois recognizes the effectiveness of CHWs in improving health outcomes, reducing healthcare costs, and bridging the gap in health disparities and has formed an advisory group to develop the criteria for certification. The HAP Foundation and the Illinois Public Health Association are participating in the process and will ensure all requirements are included in the HAP Apprenticeship Program.

Upon completion of the program participants will receive an Apprenticeship certificate from the Department of Labor. When the CHW Certification is available in Illinois, our goal is that anyone who has completed the HAP CHW Apprenticeship Program will have met the requirements.

What is the cost?

The one-year apprenticeship program costs $3,500. This includes:

  • A minimum of 144 hours of education, customized to meet the needs of your organization and employee.
  • Materials and books to support learning in the program.
  • Administration of the program, including all reporting and tracking to the DOL.
  • Support to employees in tracking OJT.
  • Support to the mentor.

For eligible individuals, funding is available through the Illinois Public Health Association’s (IPHA) Community Health Worker training program. If granted, this support covers the full cost of the apprenticeship program through funding from the HRSA Grant 22-124.

In addition, apprentices may also be eligible to receive $7,250 in financial support.

Employers may also benefit from:

  • A tax credit up to $5,000 per participant
  • WIOA funds – which could be up to $10,000 per participant

How can I learn more?

For more information, please email Rachael Telleen here.

Rachael Telleen, Executive Director of Workforce Development will reach out to schedule a meeting.

Program Testimonials

"As an experienced registered nurse, I discovered this apprenticeship to be an incredible learning opportunity. Not only did I become more self-aware of my own biases, but I learned that I could do more. Going through this program has helped me figure out how to serve my community best. I started a Non-Profit in 2022 called the Iconic Nurse Network Outreach, where we empower and uplift the community through comprehensive, culturally competent care and support. We aim to bridge the gap between health and social services, fostering a holistic approach to well-being that addresses food security, employment, healthcare access, nutritional education, and financial literacy. Our dedicated Community Health Workers (CHWs) strive to build trust, enhance resources, and promote sustainable development, ensuring that every individual within the community has the opportunity to lead a healthy, financially stable, and fulfilling life. This apprenticeship has helped me find the right track to focus my mission on and exposed me to new tools important for Community Health Workers."

-Lakhila Tellis, Iconic Voice Nurse Network Outreach

"I am learning how much CHWs play a role in promoting health equity. My academic background is in Sociology and Criminology so I appreciate how much the training has been centered around health equity, like the Social Determinants of Health. The instructor at IPHA, Claire Hughes, has been an inspiration to me. The work that she does and the fact that she is a social worker is motivating because I plan on attaining a degree in Social Work in the future. In the HAP Serious Illness training, it was great to learn more about the things we do every day in Serious Illness, Hospice, and Palliative Care education. One of the most important lessons I have learned from this apprenticeship is to always meet people where they are at!"

-Kaitlyn Macias, HAP Foundation 

“The HAP CHW Apprenticeship training has been mindful and in-depth. The IPHA and HAP trainers have been welcoming and I feel like I can be open and share my own experiences. It has been impactful to the work that I do. Without this training, I wouldn’t have the confidence or courage to go out into my community and support and educate them on their health.”

-Amanda McKinley, Greene County Health Department

“The HAP CHW Apprenticeship definitely gave me confidence, direction, and personal growth. I was able to learn topics that I was not familiar with and getting more into detail about these topics. I loved learning about personal experiences, and I was very motivated when I was told we would not only learn and grow but also getting compensated for learning! I am eager to take my knowledge to the communities I serve.”

-Melissa Gomez, HAP Foundation

“The HAP CHW Apprenticeship Trainings have allowed me to build up a background of knowledge. I became familiar with new resources that have helped me a lot with the work that I do. I enjoyed how interactive it was with the other apprentices, speaking and sharing in break-out groups allowed me to be present in the work and be a part of a larger community of CHWs. "

-Jony Vargas, HAP Foundation

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