Initiative recognized as Program of Excellence by University Outreach and Engagement
The Community Health Worker (CHW) Training Program, an initiative within The Ohio State University College of Nursing that has grown into one of the largest programs of its kind in Ohio, received the designation of 2024 Program of Excellence in Engaged Scholarship this month from the university’s Office of Outreach and Engagement.
The CHW program began in 2014 as a workforce development program. In the ten years since its inception, approximately 525 CHWs have graduated from the program to serve as front-line public health workers who assist in improving quality of care and breaking down cultural barriers to treatment. The program partners with more than 40 local community organizations to help address critical social issues.
“CHWs serve as lifelines for their neighbors to improve access to quality care,” said Shaunta Stanford, EdD, APRN-CNP, CCRN, director of the CHW Training Program and clinical assistant professor of practice at the College of Nursing. “Our students are reflective of the communities they serve; 85% of our trainees are from disadvantaged communities. So not only do they have a vested interest in helping their communities thrive, but also they instill a sense of pride that permeates their neighborhoods and inspires people to seek out their help to get the care they need and deserve.”
The university's Office of Outreach and Engagement named the CHW program among 18 across the university that serve a variety of critical community needs, including sustainability, public health, health care delivery, social service delivery, youth development and workforce development.
“The Community Health Worker Program was identified as one of our top three Programs of Excellence due to it exemplifying many of the characteristics of high-impact engaged scholarship,” said Jason Reece, PhD, vice provost for urban research and community engagement at Ohio State. “The program’s sustainability and longevity, the robust reciprocity with community partners and the integration of community capacity building with education of students is a powerful example of excellence in engaged scholarship.”
In 2023, the CHW program staff and trainees participated in 32 community events, spending more than 400 service hours to engage with more than 3,000 community members.
