Enhancing Access to Biomedical Resources & Health Information Through the Community Health Worker Training

Since 2009, the Health 12s from the Northeast and Eastcentral PA AHECs have been involved in the development and implementation of a curriculum designed to train Community Health Workers CHWs. CHWs contribute to improved health outcomes and quality of life by acting as liaisons or 'connectors' to needed healthcare and other community-based services and resources. To date, AHEC has trained nearly 170 individuals to work in settings such as hospitals, clinics and other community-based organizations. This grant would allow AHEC to update its current curriculum to include NLM resources such as MedlinePlus and provide scholarships for individuals who are passionate about becoming CHW but cannot afford the training. This project would involve embedding NLM resources and websites into current course material and having participants complete a research project. Through this project, participants will learn to utilize NLM resources, illustrate their awareness and skills for locating high quality health information, and promote quality consumer health resources to patients and families. As part of the facilitation for this project, CHWs will demonstrate their knowledge by presenting their research project. In the beginning of the course, MAR staff would be invited to present a workshop about all the resources provided through NLM. Northeast PA AHEC is requesting $15,500 for this project.