Are you passionate about community health and ready to make a difference? Baltimore Corps is now recruiting for the next cohort of Community Health Pathways, a paid service learning AmeriCorps program designed to train and develop members as Community Health Navigators.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

As a Community Health Navigator, you'll serve with a Baltimore-based organization working to improve community health, bridging the gap between healthcare providers, social services, and patients. You'll build trusted relationships with community members, providing outreach, follow-up, peer support, and resource referral.

Professional Pathways

You’ll have three professional pathways to choose from:

Community Violence Navigator (CHW) – Implement trauma-informed strategies, community mediations, and case management to help with community violence prevention.

Community Health Assistant (CNA, CHW, CPRS) – Improve access and quality of care for underserved communities while training to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Community Health Worker (CHW), or Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS). The CPRS pathway (a new addition to our program) uses a trauma-informed approach to provide compassionate, culturally relevant peer support and community wrap-around services.

Community Resource Connector (CHW or CPRS) – Help community members access the resources and services they need to thrive.

Training and Development

In addition to hands-on training with a partner site, you’ll develop professional and personal skills, learn strategies for trauma-informed care, and gain expertise in helping patients navigate resources.

Career Launchpad

Our program is a powerful pathway to high-quality, public health-related careers, especially for those with little to no prior experience.

Members who have participated in our program have landed jobs as a certified nursing assistant, community health worker for a traveling community response unit, and a pharmacy technician at Johns Hopkins Hospital. One candidate accepted a position with their CHP placement site, and others have gone on to further their education at a four-year institution.

Upon completion, you'll be ready to launch a full-time career in public health equipped with the necessary health certifications. Plus, you'll join Baltimore Corps’ extensive network of changemakers.

Who Can Apply

Anyone who is interested in working to ensure more positive health outcomes in their communities and across Baltimore and meets the program’s minimum requirements (see below) is encouraged to apply. No prior healthcare or public health experience, knowledge, or education is required!

Minimum Program Requirements:

You must meet these minimum requirements to participate:

  • 18 years or older

  • GED, high school diploma, or equivalent

  • Pass a National Service Criminal History Check

  • Hold one of the following citizenship statuses: US citizen, US National, Lawful Permanent Resident Alien

Note: While not a program requirement, some host sites may require a drug test.

What is the service term commitment?

The majority of Community Health Pathways members serve a term of 40 hours a week over 11 months. For those pursuing a CNA certification, a limited number of slots are available to serve 40 hours a week over a 6-month service term.

Benefits

As a Community Health Pathways (CHP) member, you will receive the following benefits depending on your pathway and service term:

11-Month Service Term

Those completing an 11-month term receive a stipend of up to $30,000 over 11 months, a post-service Segal education award up to $7,395 (CHW and CPRS), healthcare, and other benefits

6-Month Service Term

CHP members pursuing a CNA pathway must complete their service term of 40 hours weekly for six months. These members receive a stipend up to $16,363 over six months, a post-service Segal education award up to $3,697.50, healthcare, and other benefits.

CHP members meeting eligibility requirements may receive additional benefits such as supplemental nutrition (SNAP) and child care credit. Eligibility is determined outside of Baltimore Corps according to the benefit program. The living stipend is not considered income for benefits purposes.

APPLY BY MARCH 1, 2024

The deadline to apply for the next Community Health Pathways cohort is March 1, 2024. To assist you during the application period, check out our CHP Events page for details on upcoming virtual EduSessions and in-person Recruitment Fairs. These events are an excellent opportunity to learn more about the program, ask questions, and get help with your application.

Ready to make a difference? Your journey towards becoming a public health leader starts here! Contact recruitment@baltimorecorps.org.