For Further Information Contact:
Paul Conrad, BS, CCHW, CT, Director of Training & Workforce Development
pconrad@aspin.org
317-536-4681

Affiliated Service Providers of Indiana (ASPIN) is excited to announce we have been awarded 2^nd year funding of $600,000 and an additional $100,000 from HRSA to expand the Opioid Impacted Family Support Program. 

 ASPIN’s program was initially awarded $600,000 as part of a financial assistance award from Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in the fall of 2020 to establish a Community Health Worker Apprenticeship program. ASPIN has received the second-year funding of $600,000 and an additional $100,000 to expand the program. The program has been approved by the Department of Labor and is the first of its kind in the State of Indiana.  The program received a great deal of applications and student slots were full by the 8th month of the program.  Additionally, nine employers have signed agreements to host apprenticeships from the program during the first year.

The program combines 137 hours of online instruction with 2,080 hours of on-the-job learning at a partnered employer.  Apprentices will also earn hourly wages while they perform their on-the-job training which will progressively increase as they reach certain milestones.  Every graduate of ASPIN’s CHW Apprenticeship program receives a nationally recognized credential signifying to future employers that they are fully qualified for their job.  The additional funds will make available more apprenticeship opportunities for Hoosiers.

As the COVID 19 Pandemic continues to impact the delivery and accessibility of healthcare and behavioral health systems, the utilization of Certified Community Health Workers becomes even more evident to help fill the gaps in care, connecting clients to needed resources such as filing for unemployment, accessing daily living resources, and addressing social isolations.  CHWs play an important role in supporting families, individuals going through recovery and providing prevention education. Additionally, CHWs are essential in providing education on the importance of vaccination, addressing issues like vaccine hesitancy, and reducing hospital admissions. 

Affiliated Service Providers of Indiana, Inc. (d.b.a. ASPIN) is a 501 (C) 3 not for profit network that operates four major service lines: third party administration, training and workforce development, health improvement, and grants management. The mission of ASPIN is to provide innovative educational programs, resource management, program development, and network management in collaboration with all healthcare entities to address health disparities and whole health management.

Individuals and employers interested in learning more about participating in the ASPIN CHW Apprenticeship Program should contact Paul Conrad, Director of Training & Workforce Development at pconrad@aspin.org or at 317-536-4681.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $600,000 with 0% percentage funded by non-governmental sources.  The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.