Introducing the Colorado Public Health Works Program
We are thrilled to introduce Colorado Public Health Works, a pioneering AmeriCorps Apprenticeship program providing career entry into the field of public health intended for young people (ages 17-25) from local communities throughout Colorado. Through the Colorado Public Health Works program, 28 AmeriCorps members will serve in regions throughout the state and simultaneously pursue certification as a Community Health Worker through a US Department of Labor registered apprenticeship to increase the capacity of local public health agencies.
This innovative program marks the first time AmeriCorps has integrated with a registered apprenticeship program in Colorado and is paving new pathways into the field for Colorado’s next generation of public health leaders.
Trailhead is currently seeking host sites for the Colorado Public Health Works program in addition to recruiting members to join the Colorado Public Health Works workforce.
Become a Host Site For Colorado Public Health Works
By aligning AmeriCorps and USDOL Apprenticeship programs, Colorado is creating pathways to quality public health-related careers through onsite experience and training. Details regarding support provided by Trailhead Institute, program site responsibilities, and key components of the program including the benefits provided through AmeriCorps and the Community Health Worker apprenticeship are available in the program overview below.
Become a Colorado Public Health Works Community Health Worker
Colorado Public Health Works provides a year of professional experience in the field of public health, targeted, though not limited to, young people ages 17-25 from local communities throughout Colorado to increase the capacity of Local Public Health Agencies (LPHAs). Previous education and public health work hours can be credited for program requirements.
Details about the Colorado Public Health Works Community Health Worker positions are available in the position description below.
Additionally, general Inquiries can be made by email to lkenlon@trailhead.institute, or by text or call at (970)-648-0460, Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.
With Gratitude to Our Partners
The launch of Colorado Public Health Works is made possible through funding from AmeriCorps and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who together joined forces in September of 2021 to launch Public Health AmeriCorps to support the recruitment, training, and development of the next generation of public health leaders who will be ready to respond to the nation’s public health needs. Trailhead is one of three Colorado grantees to receive funding through Public Health AmeriCorps which in total has issued more than $60 million in first-year grants to recruit nearly 3,000 AmeriCorps members across the United States.
Building on the funding awarded by AmeriCorps and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Schultz Family Foundation awarded significant funding to Trailhead to increase the living allowance of participating AmeriCorps members, supporting efforts to equitably recruit and compensate members throughout their service. Additionally, funding from Arapahoe Community College is supporting efforts to recruit, market, and provide technical assistance to increase the number of health-related apprenticeships in Colorado.
In addition to our generous funders, the launch of Colorado Public Health Works would not be possible without the incredible collaboration, thought-partnership, and vision of our partners. We would like to give special thanks to our partners at the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment and Serve Colorado for working with us to bring Colorado Public Health Works to life.