Workforce Pathway: From Training to Employment Readiness

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Grow Partnership Tennessee’s five-week Health, Equity, and Advocacy Training (HEAT) Program is a workforce development pathway that equips residents with job-ready skills for health and criminal justice adjacent and community-based roles while building local leadership and neighborhood capacity.

 

Participants complete a structured training model that combines classroom instruction, applied projects, and supervised field experience, building practical skills in professional practice, systems navigation, ethical service delivery, and community engagement.

 

The cohort includes 50 total training hours, consisting of:

• 20 hours of classroom-based instruction

• 10 hours of an Individualized Class Project (ICP)

• 20 hours of supervised fieldwork

 

Training is delivered in partnership with public agencies and community-based organizations. Participants receive certificates of completion for each four-hour training block, supporting résumé development and documentation of verified competencies.

 

The program culminates in a Certificate of Completion from Grow Partnership Tennessee, signaling workforce readiness and alignment with entry-level roles in health, human services, and community-focused sectors. In coordination with workforce and public service partners, including the Department of Human Services (DHS), the program supports participants’ transition into employment pathways or continued education. While job placement is not guaranteed, graduates exit with recognized credentials, documented experience, and employable skills.

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The Role of CHWs in Community Transformation

GPT’s CHW Training Program: Eight Key Core Competencies for Impact:

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• Behavioral Health & Substance Use: 

• Social Determinate of Health: A Foundation of Community Health

• ACEs: Adverse Childhood Experiences and Trauma-informed Approaches 

• Resources to Self-Sufficiency: Navigating Community Support Systems 

• Vocational Rehabilitation: Career Training Readiness  

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CHWs trained by GPT are trusted local voices; connecting people to care, amplifying community power, and driving long-term change.