Training community health navigators in the public health workforce to respond during the COVID-19 pandemic

AIM: To describe the process of engaging underserved communities of color that designs, conducts, and evaluates community-engaged COVID-19 Community Health Navigator training on COVID-19: Vaccination, Prevention, and Contact Tracing. SUBJECT AND METHODS: The project used a mixed-methods design; 18 community health navigators (CHNs) representing Asian American, Arab American, Black/African American, and Hispanic/Latinx communities completed the pretest, training, and post-test. Demographic characteristics, along with knowledge and confidence level questions regarding COVID-19 issues, were gathered in pre- and post-tests. Qualitative data were collected via open-ended questions in post-tests. RESULTS: Findings suggest that the community health navigator training successfully increased participants’ knowledge of COVID-19-related topic areas and confidence in educating community members regarding COVID-19 vaccination and prevention. Qualitative evaluation contained information learned and found most helpful, and application and utilization plans for CHNs’ follow-up work. CONCLUSION: The process of community health navigator training and evaluation results adds important insights to the current COVID-19 pandemic workforce literature and can inform future trainings.