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Chronic Disease Prevention Branch

Office of Community Health Workers

​​​​​​​​​​The Kentucky Office of Community Health Workers (KOCHW) provides leadership, support and guidance ​to expand and elevate ​the community health worker (CHW) profession across Kentucky.

Community Health Worker Certification

The Kentucky Office of Community Health Workers issues official certification for community health workers who successfully demonstrate all eight core competencies through completion of qualified training or related work experience. CHWs who wish to apply for certification are encouraged to read the CHW Certification Manual and accompanying materials before beginning their application.

Other Resources

Applicant Eligibility

  • Currently live in Kentucky and/or employed as a CHW in Kentucky
  • Legal U.S. resident at least 18 years old
  • Demonstrate approved CHW core competencies.
  • Submit completed application and certification fee to KYACHW.

Application Tracks

  1. Training-based: For CHWs who have completed a CHW training program of at least 40 hours in-class instruction and 40 hours of field work.
  2. Experience-based: For applicants with at least 2,500 hours as a CHW during the previous three years.

Application Materials

  1. General application
  2. Track-specific materials (copies of training certificates or official position description)
  3. Color photo
  4. Professional reference
  5. $50 fee paid directly to KYACHW

Continuing Education for Certified Community Health Workers (CCHW)

All CCHWs are required to earn 10 continuing education units (CEUs) each year. At least five of those hours must come from KOCHW-approved training. You may earn up to five hours from independent training.

For the full list of KDPH-approved training please email CHW Certification

Upcoming KOCHW-Approved Training Opportunities for CCHWs

Organization​

 Training Title

   Date

   CEUs

Kentucky 
Homeplace
 Community Health Worker 
Personal Protective Equipment
  Ongoing
  0.5

​Kentucky Inclusive Health Co​​llaborative (KIHC)

Disability 101​
  May 18, 2022
 1
​Kentucky​ Inclusive Health Co​​llaborative (KIHC)
​Introduction to Disability and Health
​June 14, 2022
​ 1
​
Kentucky Asthma Management Program (KAMP)

​Introduction to Healthy Homes
​  TBD 
​ 3
​Kentucky Inclusive  Health Collaborative (KIHC)
​Universal Design and Healthy Living for Individuals with Disabilities

​  TBD
​ 1
​Heart Disease and Stroke ​Prevention Program​
Hypertension
Basics
​TBD
​ 1


Continuing Education Application for Organizations

This application is for organizations seeking continuing education credit ​approval for CHW training. Applications must include:

Forms must be submitted at least four weeks prior to training date. Approved training must provide a certificate of completion which includes:

  • Name of the CCHW
  • Name of training organization
  • Title of training
  • Date of training

All certificates and agendas must include the following statement:

This program has been approved by the Kentucky Department for Public Health Office ofCommunity Health Workers to provide X number of continuing education credits.
CHW Impact Stories of Success Report

Stories of Success Report is used to demonstrate the collective impact of CHW programs in Kentucky.

The 2020 CHW Stories of Success report now is available.

Submissions for the 2021 Stories of Success report are now closed. Submissions for the 2022 report will open in fall of 2022.

2021 Stories of Success Report Webinar

CHW Stories of Success Worksheet

Contact Information

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