The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services pledged $1.28 million in federal funds to the University of Hawaii Systems to train future health care workers.
The funding supports the Community Health Worker Training Program originating out of the American Rescue Plan that Sen. Mazie Hirono supported last year. There are more than 2,000 community health workers throughout Hawaii.
“As we work to combat our health care worker shortage in Hawaii and across the country, it is crucial that we invest in programs to grow our health care workforce,” Hirono said in a release from her office. “By enabling UH to train additional community health workers, this funding will help families in Hawaii, especially those from underserved communities, navigate our health care system so they can access the care they need. I’ll continue working to strengthen Hawaii’s health care system and eliminate barriers to quality health care.”
A year ago, UH graduated a record number of students enrolled in its Community Health Worker certificate program. CHWs work for various organizations in Hawaii, including qualified health centers, hospitals, nonprofits and state agencies. Their presence serves as a bridge between the community and the health care system by providing health education, information and direct services to community members.
According to the release, this funding will be used to train 13,000 new CHWs and help ensure all patients have access to health care.