Mountain Empire Community College of Health Sciences

Community Health Worker Training Initiative

The Project

Mountain Empire Community College of Health Sciences played a vital role in strengthening the regional community health workforce by developing an online Community Health Worker (CHW) training program. This program was offered as an independent Career Studies Certificate and as a stackable credential within existing health care programs, supporting flexible career pathways.

Work Conducted:

Developed a CHW Training Program aligned with state certification standards.
Conducted a needs assessment with regional health care organizations to ensure program relevance.
Recruited diverse CHW trainees, prioritizing those with local cultural and health care knowledge.
Engaged the community through planned health workshops and campus events.

Goals Achieved:

Launched the CHW program in Fall 2025 and enrolled the first cohort.
Recruited and trained CHW students.
Strengthened K-12 engagement by introducing CHW career pathways to school administrators.
Increased community health impact by tracking event participation and satisfaction.

Evidence from Across Appalachia

Identifying Community Perspectives for a Lung Cancer Screening Campaign in Appalachia

This study utilized focus groups in Appalachian Kentucky to gather community input on developing a lung cancer screening campaign. Community Health Workers played a crucial role in recruiting participants and facilitating discussions, underscoring the importance of CHWs in community-engaged research and health promotion efforts.

Community Health and Mobilization Prevention Services (CHAMPS)

Research conducted in Appalachian Kentucky explored the use of telehealth to deliver diabetes self-management education (DSME). The study found that telehealth interventions effectively increased access to DSME, addressing the shortage of healthcare providers in the region and improving diabetes care.

Evaluation Summary Report

MECC’s Community Health Worker Career Studies Certificate fulfilled a strong regional demand identified through partner outreach, advisory board engagement, and needs assessment activities. The CHW certificate curriculum was aligned with Virginia Certification Board competencies. The inaugural Fall 2025 cohort enrolled 12 students, with six continuing into the Spring 2026 semester and another six joining the program. Although the target of enrolling and training 30 CHWs was not reached during the grant period, the program established a strong early pipeline and positioned itself for continued growth. An internship agreement was finalized with the Virginia Department of Health, enabling early field-based learning in population health, chronic diseases, and substance use disorders. Community engagement activities were modest, with one community event reaching approximately 150 individuals. MECC planned for larger-scale community outreach in 2026. Overall, the initiative achieved its central training and program development goals and appeared well-positioned for sustainability due to self-reported strong partner support, institutional commitment, low ongoing overhead, and full integration into MECC’s academic offerings.