Idaho State University Community Health Worker Academy

09/19/2025

We are honored to recognize the retirement of Mr. Michael Mikitish for the lasting impact he has made on CHWs in Idaho through the many programs, students, and communities he has led and served while at Idaho State University (ISU).

Michael’s career has been defined by service—first in the U.S. Army, and later through his teaching and leadership in ISU’s Emergency Services Department. His efforts helped secure nearly $11 million in grants and contracts at ISU, much of which was directed at developing CHW training and supporting CHW trainees, opening doors for immeasurable growth and innovation.

Mike’s connections and vision for implementation of statewide access to CHW training in 2015, as part of Idaho’s Statewide Healthcare Innovation Program CHW working group, were foundational to the establishment of ISU’s CHW Training Academy today. He also was instrumental in the first Idaho CHW Network, which later became the Idaho Community Health Worker Association. His guidance as co-director of the Academy has helped grow and sustain a program that continues to expand access, build skills, and strengthen the CHW profession and the health of our communities. We are happy to have Mike’s continued support and expertise in a new role as a consultant as we move forward into a new chapter for the academy. We thank him for his determination and tireless efforts, and wish him the greatest joy in retirement.

08/27/2025

Our latest Community Health Worker Advanced Course wrapped up with a 100% completion rate. All 31 students finished strong!

Huge thanks to our incredible instructors, Cody Wilkinson and Salome Mwangi for their leadership and dedication.

If you're interested in learning more about the Community Health Worker Training Academy, visit https://www.isu.edu/chw/

05/08/2025

Formulario de Interés – Capacitación para Promotores de Salud en Español
Interest Form - Community Health Worker Training in Spanish

Por favor, comparta este enlace del formulario con quienes puedan estar interesados.
Please share this form link with those who might be interested.

Gracias por su interés en nuestra clase de capacitación para Promotores de Salud. Por favor complete la siguiente información para ayudarnos a conectarnos con usted.

04/30/2025

To celebrate National Apprenticeship Day and recognize the Community Health Workers in the Idaho CHW Apprenticeship Program, we’d love to share Anna’s story.

Community Health Workers in Idaho, like Anna, play an important role as a bridge between traditionally under-served populations and needed health information...

08/30/2024

This week we're continuing to bring awareness to our area's great community health representatives and valued partners at Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Health and Human Services. Since the beginning CHW roles and qualities have driven healthy communities, but did you know that the Community Health Representative (CHR) program through the Indian Health Service led initiatives globally, and certainly in Idaho, to formally employ CHWs dating back into the 1960's?

Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board offers CHR training in partnership with ISU's CHW training academy and has a course starting October 3rd. To learn more and register please see here: https://www.isu.edu/chw/community-health-representatives-npaihb/

Idaho Community Health Workers Association - ICHWA Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board

08/29/2024

This week we want to celebrate CHWs as a profession, workforce, and movement! NCHWAW is a time to take pride in who we are, what we do, and why we do it. Connect with CHWs and allies in Idaho and celebrate everything you’ve accomplished together.

08/29/2024

This week it has been exciting to visit with Community Health Worker trainees throughout the state during National CHW Awareness Week (NCHWAW) and hear about the impact they make. Pictured is Ryan, our ISU CHW Training Academy Program Director, with Jessica and Sheila from Family Health Services. Jessica recently began the Idaho CHW Apprenticeship Program in partnership with the Idaho Community Health Center Association and the ISU CHW Training Academy.

08/28/2024

Thank a Community Health Worker today!

This week let's honor the CHW workforce, our mentors, and allies
for their lifetime achievements, special services,
and contributions to the CHW profession and the
health and well-being of our communities. There
are many ways to commemorate CHWs and raise
awareness, like with our state CHW Association Idaho Community Health Workers Association - ICHWA, in person, online, at your
state Capitol, in the park, or at the library… The
possibilities are endless!

08/27/2024

National CHW Awareness Week (NCHWAW) 2024 is the 2nd annual national campaign to celebrate and commemorate CHWs. This week of collaboration and action unites CHWs and allies across race, ethnicity, gender, geography, experience, and identities. NCHWAW 2024 is an opportunity for CHWs and allies to spread the word about CHWs’ unique core roles, our contributions to community health and wellbeing, and our capacity for leadership. Let’s work together to promote policies that respect, protect, and authentically partner with CHWs and our communities.

07/12/2024

IDAHO CHW APPRENTICESHIP INFORMATION WEBINARS

Please join upcoming apprenticeship information webinars for CHWs and Employers. We look forward to your participation!
The webinars will be hosted over Zoom on the following days:

FOR EMPLOYERS:
Employer Webinar July 17, 11:00 am - 11:30 am MST
Employer Webinar July 23, 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm MST

FOR FUTURE APPRENTICES:
Apprentice Webinar July 23, 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm MST
Apprentice Webinar July 25, 11:00 am - 11:30 am MST

RSVP HERE:

We hope you can join us as an employer or future apprentice to learn more about the Idaho CHW Apprenticeship Program. Please RSVP to the session(s) that you would like to attend below.

07/12/2024

IDAHO CHW APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM: Accepting Applications

We are seeking full or part-time Community Health Workers, Community Health Representatives, Patient Navigators, Health Educators, Outreach and Enrollment Counselors, Promotoras de Salud, and others to apply!

• Earn U.S. Department of Labor CHW Credential
• Receive up to $7,500 in stipend
• Begin logging apprenticeship hours as soon as registration is complete
• Participate in training and continuing education to support your work
• Build a network of fellow CHWs from across the state

The Idaho CHW Apprenticeship Program is a paid work and learning experience of 2000 hours and is designed to strengthen community connections to healthcare providers and the healthcare delivery system. This apprenticeship program is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. Limited financial support for apprentices is available now, so apply soon. Apply Here: https://www.isu.edu/chw/apprentice-chw/

05/14/2024

Join us THIS THURSDAY over Zoom from 2:00-3:30PM MST for our Quarterly Mini Learning Collaborative with a guest panel to discuss CHW Career Paths and Skills.

Submit your questions for the panel here: https://forms.gle/2UNTsnLHtTWEAboPA

Registration is free and can be completed at https://cetrain.isu.edu/enrollment/course/community-health-worker-chw-mini-learning-collaboratives/

This event is co-sponsored by the Idaho State University Community Health Worker Training Academy and the Idaho Community Health Workers Association - ICHWA.
See you on Thursday!