Community Health Worker Certification Program

Building Oakland’s Pipeline of Trusted Wellness Leaders

This isn’t just training. It’s transformation.

Learn to take blood pressure, teach nutrition, connect families to resources, and collect health data — all while becoming the person your community trusts with their health. By the end of 12 weeks, you’ll be a certified Urban Wellness Advocate ready to serve Oakland’s most underserved neighborhoods through our mobile wellness units — and get paid to do it.

The 12-Week Program Breakdown

Phase 1: Online Learning (Weeks 1–8)

Self-paced modules (~5 hours/week)
Study from home on your schedule

Phase 2: Saturday Intensives (Weeks 9–12)

In-person hands-on training
Four Saturdays, 8am–4pm at 435 8th Street, Oakland

Phase 3: Field Practice (Weeks 5–12)

Real community engagement alongside experienced advocates
4 hours/week on our mobile wellness unit

Total Commitment: 8–10 hours/week for 12 weeks

After Training: Job opportunities serving 15–30 families as a paid Urban Wellness Advocate ($15–18/hour + benefits).

What You’ll Actually Learn

Practical skills applied weekly in the community.

Module Highlights

Health & Wellness Fundamentals: Life expectancy gap, social determinants, and community health
Food Security & Nutrition Foundations: Teaching culturally relevant nutrition, navigating local food systems
Water Security & Environmental Health: Lead exposure, water testing, environmental justice
Health Literacy & Community Empowerment: Translating medical jargon, navigating healthcare, building trust
Community Program Design & Facilitation: Running wellness workshops and programs
Data Collection & Community Research: Ethical health data collection (BP, glucose, BMI, food security)
Mental Health & Trauma-Informed Care: Recognizing mental health issues, understanding trauma
Chronic Disease Prevention & Management: Diabetes, hypertension, heart disease
Community Organizing & Advocacy: Organizing neighborhoods, advocating for health equity
Resource Navigation: Mastering Oakland’s health and social services
Cultural Competency & Humility: Serving diverse communities, recognizing biases
Professional Development & Sustainability: Preventing burnout, resume building, career pathways

What a Typical Week Looks Like

During Training (Weeks 1–8)

Mon–Fri: Online modules (1 hr/day)
Weekend: Reflection exercises & practice scenarios (2–3 hrs)
Week 5+: 4 hrs/week field practice on mobile units

During Intensives (Weeks 9–12)

Mon–Fri: Review materials & prep (2 hrs/day)
Saturday: Full-day intensive (8am–4pm)
Sunday: Integration & rest

After Certification (As a Paid Urban Wellness Advocate)

Morning (8am–12pm): Mobile unit setup, screenings, fresh produce distribution, family interactions
Afternoon (12pm–4pm): Home visits, chronic disease management, resource connection, data documentation
Evening (4pm–6pm): Data entry, case notes, planning next week

What You Get

While Training

All training materials and professional workbooks
CPR/First Aid certification
Mentorship from experienced advocates
Guest workshops with healthcare and public health experts
Professional development training
Peer community of advocates

After Certification

Employment with Hands for Life mobile wellness network (pending funding)
Connections to partner organizations
Resume building & interview prep
Continuing education & mentorship
Career advancement opportunities

Financial Benefits

FREE training (funded by community partners & foundations)
$2,000 stipend during 12-week internship (Weeks 5–12)
Employment: $15–18/hr + benefits; growth to $20–25/hr within 2–3 years

Where This Certification Can Take You

Direct Employment

Mobile Wellness Unit Staff: $15–18/hr + benefits
Community Health Worker at Clinics: $18–22/hr
Health Navigator at Hospitals: $20–25/hr
Outreach Coordinator at Nonprofits: $22–28/hr
Public Health Roles: $20–30/hr

Education Pathways

Merritt College CHW Certificate program
Nursing scholarships & public health degree programs
College internship credit

Entrepreneurship Track

Start a wellness consulting practice
Facilitate workshops independently ($50–100/hr)
Contract with health systems as an independent CHW

Who Should Apply

Ideal Candidates:

Oakland residents or deeply connected to the community
Passionate about health equity & community wellness
Lived experience in underserved neighborhoods
Committed 8–10 hrs/week for 12 weeks
Motivated to earn professional credentials

No Requirements:

College degree, prior healthcare experience, medical training, perfect English, or clean record

Examples of Strong Candidates: Keisha (24), Marcus (19), Rosa (41), Devon (28)

Be Part of Groundbreaking Research

Partnership: UC Berkeley School of Public Health / UCSF (pending)
Contribute to health data collection & research
Help prove the model scales nationally
Potential to be featured in publications & presentations

How to Apply

Cohorts: Limited to 15–20 participants

Submit Interest Form (5 min) – Basic info & Oakland connection
[SUBMIT INTEREST FORM]
Phone Interview (20 min) – Discuss goals & fit
Optional Info Session (2 hrs) – Meet current advocates & tour units
Submit Full Application – Essay, references, commitment agreement
Final Interview & Selection – Enrollment decisions within 1 week

Cohort Deadlines:

Spring 2026: Applications due Feb 15 | Training starts Apr 7
Fall 2026: Applications due Aug 15 | Training starts Oct 5

Frequently Asked Questions

High school diploma required? Preferred, not required
Work while training? Yes, 8–10 hrs/week designed for flexibility
Saturday intensives? Mandatory; contact us if conflict
Nursing school benefit? Strengthens applications, scholarships available
Spanish needed? Not required, but helpful
Criminal record? Considered; focus on motivation & commitment
Under 18? Must be 18+
Jobs after certification? Active placement support
Work location? Priority for Oakland for 1 year

Preview the Training Materials

[DOWNLOAD WEEK 1 SAMPLE] (PDF, 12 pages)
Includes: Life expectancy gap, self-assessment, first community health conversations, reflection exercises

Ready to Start?

Spring 2026 Cohort: Applications open now (15 spots available)
[SUBMIT INTEREST FORM]

Contact Us:

Email: support@handsforlifelm.org