By: Richard L. Smith
Residents interested in making a meaningful difference in their neighborhoods now have an opportunity to train for a growing public health career through the Colette Lamothe-Galette Community Health Worker Institute.
The institute offers free Community Health Worker (CHW) training, removing financial barriers for individuals who want to serve their communities while gaining valuable workforce skills.
Register HERE
Upon completion, participants earn a Certificate of Completion that can open doors to jobs across health care, social services, and community-based organizations.
Community Health Workers play a critical role in public health by serving as trusted liaisons between health systems and the people they serve.
They help residents access medical care, understand health information, manage chronic conditions, and connect to essential resources such as food, housing, and utility assistance, particularly in underserved communities.
The training program includes classroom instruction and hands-on experience designed to prepare participants for real-world work.
Courses focus on health education, communication, cultural awareness, community outreach, and care coordination.
No college degree is required to become a CHW.
To qualify, applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. Those interested can complete a registration form, after which the institute staff will provide the next steps.
For more information or help with the application process, residents can contact the institute at CLGI@doh.nj.gov.