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Public and Community Health

About Our Programs

Public and Community Health

Courses in our Health (HLTH) schedule of classes and course catalog support the study of both public and community health programs at Foothill.

New! Degrees & Certificates

View list below for programs offered at Foothill. Then select program map for a possible schedule that fulfills program and college requirements.

For program requirements and full course listings, view degrees and certificates information.

Associate in Science for Transfer

New! Certificate of Achievement (CA)

 

New! Certificate of Achievement in Community Health Work (CHW)

a female community worker in conversation with a man and woman

Join Fall 2023!

Our 14-unit certificate program provides a foundational framework in public health, health education, and entry-level skills needed to bridge the gap between clinical care, patient adherence, and improvement of health outcomes. Students can earn a $5,000 stipend while in the CHW program!

CHWs are integral parts of a health care team, serving as health navigators, health educators, and informal counselors. CHWs work in a number of roles, including preventive work; chronic disease management; health education and outreach; informal counseling; health advocacy; health navigation services; health behavior change; and violence prevention.

INFORMATION SESSION
View Recording Below

Video: Info about our Program

Click here to join our program

REQUIREMENTS

TIMELINE: We will begin again in Fall 2023!

UNITS: 14, including internship (13 course units, 1 internship unit)

COURSE SEQUENCE/SCHEDULE

  • HLTH 21: Contemporary Health Concerns, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, or Winter 2024 quarter
  • HLTH 101: Introduction to Community Health Work, Winter 2024 only
  • CNSL 6: Exploring Leadership, Any quarter
  • ITRN 50: Internship (72 hours total), Spring 2024 
          • Foothill College is working on credit for hours already accrued for current CHWs; more info at a later time

PREREQUISITES: None. All classes will be delivered in English. English speaking and writing skills are necessary. If English is your second language. we offer non-credit ESLL courses.

INTERESTED? QUESTIONS? Email us at CHW@fhda.edu

 

Videos: Learn about CHWs and our Partners!

Video: Meet current CHWs!

Video: Meet our Partners!

More About the CHW Certificate Program

What You'll Learn

The Certificate of Achievement in Community Health Worker trains students serve as advocates to reduce health disparities within the communities they live and serve.

Students will learn skills required to help individuals and communities adopt healthy behaviors, access resources, and navigate complex governmental systems.

Upon successful completion of the certificate program, students will be prepared to enter the health care field as community health workers—serving as navigators, educators, and informal counselors that connect community members and patients with clinical and governmental services to improve health outcomes.

Program Learning Outcomes:

 

  • Students will be able to apply informal counseling and motivational interviewing techniques when communicating with individuals, groups, and communities related to patient goals and outcomes
  • Students will be able to accurately disseminate culturally competent health education to individuals, groups, and communities
  • Students will be able to help patients navigate complex government applications for social services

Become Part of a Health Care Team

Many community health workers will be integral components of a health care team, often serving as a liaison between clinicians and patients to provide informal counseling, case management, and health care system navigation.

The community health work certificate program includes a direct pathway into a career serving as a community health worker within an array of organizations, including local government, clinics, insurers, health maintenance organizations, non-profit community-based organizations, etc.

Why Become a Community Health Worker Now?

Community Health Workers (CHWs) are essential health care and community workers. CHWs often share similar life experiences, values, and language with the populations they serve, which in turn develops relationships based on a foundation of trust and connection.

Goals of Our New CHW Program

The certificate program will provide opportunities to improve health disparities and health outcomes within individuals through coursework but also serve as a route to employment opportunities for individuals typically underrepresented in the healthcare industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the CHW program the right one for me?

If you have the following skillsets and interests, the CHW program is a good fit for you!

  • Outgoing, trustworthy, eager-to-learn?
  • Passionate about helping people, especially those within vulnerable populations?
  • Willing to work in person at sites, including clinics and community-based organizations?

What does a CHW do?

CHWs work in a number of roles including preventive work, chronic disease management, health education and outreach, informal counseling, health advocacy, health navigation services, health behavior change, and violence prevention. 

Where do CHWs work?

A community health worker works in the field within organizations, including local government, clinics, insurers, health maintenance organizations, non-profit community-based organizations, etc.

What does an internship look like?

Depending on the site location, interns may be responsible for the following:

  • providing health navigation
  • discussing and problem-solving health directives
  • connecting patients with community and medical resources
  • making home visits to at-risk individuals
  • enrolling clients in health-related programs
  • facilitating health education classes
  • developing health educational materials
  • providing health outreach, etc. 

What's the salary for a CHW?

In the SF Bay Area, you'll earn from $20-$28/hr. 

 

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Questions?
We're Here to Help!

Health Sciences and Horticulture Career Support

650.949.7643


healthcareerprograms@fhda.edu


Building 5200

Division Office Contacts

HEALTH SCIENCES & HORTICULTURE
Office: Building 5200, Room 5211 
Nancy Cheung, MPA, Division Dean
cheungnancy@fhda.edu
For more information, visit the HSH website.
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