The Community Health Worker (CHW) training program provides unique and innovative opportunities for students of all ages. Most importantly, students receive genuine practical experience while earning college credit, and gain invaluable insights for their future careers. Six senior students from Trinity High School in Garfield Heights recently completed their CHW internship at North Coast Community Homes (NCCH).
NCCH is a Northeast Ohio non-profit organization that provides quality housing and resources that support the physical, social, and economic well-being of individuals with physical disabilities and mental health challenges. NCCH works with county agencies and care provider organizations to modify homes to make them fully accessible for 630 residents.
According to Jillian Frazier, chief development officer for North Coast Community Homes, this internship provided students a non-clinical experience where they could observe the importance and impact of the social determinants of health.
“Due to their interest in public health and health-related careers, this internship experience allowed them to observe and learn about our work and the individuals we serve. Students experienced the reality of the societal challenges, stereotypes, and discrimination that may impact individuals with physical or mental illness, injury or disabilities. We are pleased to be a part of their educational journey and to host a new group of ambassadors for North Coast Community Homes.”
“The senior students from Trinity met once a week and interned under the guidance of a NCCH employee,” Frazier adds. “They supported the residential services program with administrative tasks, in-home visits with residential service liaisons, and visit charting and data collection, they collaborated in strategizing a program to engage direct service providers, to provide training, and to establish an awards and recognition program.”
Trinity student Maisse Rott, chose to participate in the CHW program because:
"It allowed me to get many experiences in the healthcare community. My future career goal is to become a nurse, and this program helped me improve my communication skills. I also gained more insight into the different career opportunities open in the healthcare industry that our outside of a hospital environment," she states.
“This program is great for anyone even considering going into the healthcare field,” Rott continues. She explains: “It teaches you many necessary skills and placed me in a real-life work setting that combines both an office and home healthcare area. It gave me a sense of two totally different career choices. I have learned how to better communicate through cold calling, brainstorming during meetings, and talking to residents throughout the houses. I have also been able to pick up medical terminology that will help me in my future career field,” concludes Rott.
Frazier is a staunch advocate of the CHW program. She encourages students to take advantage of this tremendous opportunity and to “Stay open to new experiences, build relationships with others who can offer guidance, support, and serve as a mentor to help offer insight as you work through challenges.” It’s very important to learn to be good at teamwork, communication, and problem solving,”
To learn more about the community Health Worker training program through ’s College of Public Health, visit our website. For more information on North Coast Community Homes, visit .