Free community health worker training comes to OHIO Southern

Applications are open for Ohio University’s Community Health Worker Training Program, hosted by the Alliance for Population Health and offered at Ohio University Southern in Ironton during Spring Semester 2026. The program runs Jan. 12 to May 2, and applications are due Dec. 12.

The training uses a hybrid model designed for adult learners. Online classes meet synchronously on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Three full in-person class days are held on the Southern Campus on Jan. 14, Feb. 11, and March 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The classroom portion includes 100 hours of coursework and skills practice. After finishing the classroom requirements, participants complete 130 supervised field hours in a community setting, which makes graduates eligible to become certified community health workers through the Ohio Board of Nursing.

Community health workers are trusted neighbors who help people navigate care, connect to resources and build healthier lives. The program is offered at no cost.

Ohio University provides training materials, including textbooks and vital kits, and a limited number of stipends are available for eligible participants. The curriculum covers core skills such as taking vitals, CPR, motivational interviewing and practical problem-solving built on lived experience.

“Offering this training on our Southern Campus reflects Ohio University’s mission to expand access to high quality education, strengthen communities, and serve the public good,” said Deborah Marinski, dean of Ohio University Southern. “Programs like this prepare students to make a direct impact in Appalachian Ohio, support local employers and improve health outcomes for families across our region.”

You can learn more about the program here.