Community Health Support Workforce Program

The goal of this program is to sustainably address Montana’s critical health needs in rural, frontier, tribal, and underserved communities through expanded community health support workforce capacity.

Community Health Support Network (CHSN)

The CHSN is taking a network approach to bridge a workforce need in our state's rural, frontier, tribal and underserved communities. The CHSN is a network of networks built to reach its members with customized strategies across Montana's vast, rural, and frontier areas.

The CHSN has identified four key areas to focus on: Financial Sustainability, Employer Advocacy, Professional Pathways, and the Montana Community Health Worker Association.

The CHSN holds quarterly statewide meetings that includes updates on projects in each of the four focus areas, guest speakers, and other community health support workforce events and information.

Contact Beth Ann Carter at beth.carter@montana.edu for meeting information and to be added to the meeting invite list.

Community Health Support Workforce Training Program (CHSWTP)

Participants in this program are to complete either the Community Health Worker Fundamentals or Community Integrated Health training prior to starting Tier 1.If you are interested in this program but have not yet completed one of these core trainings, please contact beth.carter@montana.edu.

Tier 1 ---

Duration: 1 Year
Stipend: $500

Tier 1 of the CHSW Training Program includes the the opportunity to obtain your certificate as an AHEC Scholar. The AHEC Scholars program is for participants interested in enhancing their skills in interprofessional practice in rural and underserved settings. There is a $500 stipend available for those that complete the AHEC Scholars Program.

AHEC Scholars Program

40 hours asynchronous online education
40 hours interprofessional community-based, experiential, or clinical training/work in rural and/or underserved area. Working hours can count for this requirement.
Must attend at least one monthly interprofessional seminar while enrolled in the program.

The online education is made available through AHEC’s Online Education Center in core topic areas of interprofessional education, behavioral health integration, crisis intervention, connecting communities and supporting health professionals, virtual learning and telehealth, social determinants of health, cultural competency, practice transformation, and current and emerging health issues. With online modules, podcasts, educational videos, Scholars are welcome to complete their hours at their own time, at any time. Many Scholars chose to complete their hours well before the one-year length of the program is over, but you are welcome to use the entire year to complete. Your$500 stipendwill be disbursed once you complete the Scholars requirements.

*If you have previously completed the AHEC Scholars program and received a stipend (BHTP, MT Family Support Program) you are not eligible for the Tier 1 stipend in this program, however you will be able to complete Tier 2.

Tier 2 ---

Duration: 8-12 months
Stipend: $1,000 + training costs

Our Tier 2 Professional Advancement Program offers online, upskilling trainings that range from 8-12 months to complete. Training costs are covered for participants (a value of $3,300 - $4,200, depending on the course) and a $1,000 stipend is provided upon the completion of your selected training program. Tier 2 provides the opportunity to obtain your certificate in one of the following disciplines with CareerStep’s online training programs: