Frequently Asked Questions

Community Health Workers (CHWs) are trusted, frontline workers that play a crucial role in supporting the health and well being of people in their communities. Community health workers have strong ties to individuals and families in their communities. Their role allows them to bridge clients to health and social services and increase the availability of services that their clients need. Through a variety of roles, CHWs bridge community members to better health and quality of life.

Any person who lives, works, intends to work in one or more of the rural towns of Massachusetts' Berkshire County, Franklin County, or Outer Cape Cod can be a part of this program. You can be new to community health work, interested in exploring the career of community health work, or aiming to build your current career as a community health worker.

Absolutely! You may take courses at Berkshire Community College and Cape Cod Community College if you are a part of this program.

If your current employer is not located in one of the rural areas, but you still service one of the designated rural areas, this qualifies you for the program. For example, you are qualified if your is located in Springfield but you work with clients in Great Barrington.

The Interest Form is the first step in enrolling for the program. We will review your application and either email you with course enrollment instructions or set up a program informational session. You should be hearing from the Network within 5-7 business days after applying. If you have questions about the program or application, please contact our Outreach Coordinator, Erin Lenski at Erin@newenglandrha.org to talk about this further.

We want to help you find your place in community health work and see if this program is for you! Please contact our Outreach Coordinator, Erin Lenski at erin@newenglandrha.org to talk about this further

This program is flexible and offers various virtual and in-person courses. We will be taking seasonal employment, among other factors, into account when building this program. Feedback on the flexibility, feasibility, and scheduling will be welcomed!

All courses are free to eligible applicants. In addition, some applicants may qualify for a stipend to help cover expenses such as travel, child-or elder-care, etc. Ask our Outreach Coordinator about stipend availability: Erin Lenski at erin@newenglandrha.org.

If you are eligible for the program, courses and trainings are free.

Any person who lives, works, or intends to work with or in one of the three rural areas of Massachusetts (i.e., Berkshire County, Franklin County, and the Outer Cape and Islands region) can participate in the program.

Qualifying Areas

Berkshire County: Alford, Clarksburg, Egremont, Florida, Great Barrington, Hancock, Lee, Lenox, Monterey, Mount Washington, New Marlborough, North Adams, Otis, Peru, Sandisfield, Sheffield, Stockbridge, Tyringham, West Stockbridge, Williamstown

Franklin County: Ashfield, Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Conway, Deerfield, Erving, Gill, Greenfield, Hawley, Heath, Leverett, Leyden, Monroe, Montague, New Salem, Northfield, Orange, Rowe, Shelburne, Shutesbury, Sunderland, Warwick, Wendell, Whately

Outer Cape Cod and Islands region: Provincetown, Truro, Wellfleet, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket