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D’Youville University, in partnership with national and local organizations, has launched Western New York’s first registered Community Health Worker (CHW) apprenticeship sites, establishing a new and sustainable career pathway for frontline public health workers across the region.

Funded through a $2.999 million federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), D’Youville’s CHW Training Program is part of a nationwide initiative to expand and upskill the public-health workforce. The three-year program is designed to recruit, train, and compensate new and incumbent Community Health Workers, equipping them to serve as trusted messengers who connect underserved communities to healthcare, social services, and vital public health resources. The initiative also supports efforts in COVID-19 prevention and recovery and prepares the workforce for future public health emergencies.

The first cohort includes 22 apprentices placed at Jericho Road Community Health Center and Buffalo Prenatal Perinatal Network (BPPN)—two longstanding leaders in maternal and child health. Apprentices receive paid, on-the-job experience while simultaneously completing a national CHW certification course through Wayne State University’s CHW Academy.

Program administration and federal registration are managed by Health Care Access & Preparedness (HCAP), ensuring the apprenticeships meet U.S. Department of Labor standards and reflect national best practices.

“Buffalo Prenatal Perinatal Network has worked with families since 1987 and the CHW Program has been an integral part of our agency as we work to improve birth outcomes for underserved women,” said LuAnne Brown, R.N. CEO, Buffalo Prenatal Perinatal Network. “This opportunity provides our staff a wonderful opportunity both professionally and financially. We are happy to partner with D’Youville University in this venture.”

A key partner in the program’s success is the Buffalo Urban League (BUL), which provides comprehensive wraparound services to all CHW apprentices. The collaboration reflects a shared mission between D’Youville and the Buffalo Urban League: to empower individuals and communities across Buffalo. While the Urban League focuses on economic self-reliance, equity, and civil rights, D’Youville integrates community engagement and service directly into its institutional mission—making the partnership both natural and impactful.

"At the Buffalo Urban League, we are proud to support this transformative initiative by providing wraparound services that not only strengthen the apprenticeship experience but also advance equity and community well-being across Buffalo. The Community Health Worker apprenticeship represents a powerful investment in people and public health," said Thomas Beauford, Buffalo Urban League President and CEO.

This initiative marks a major milestone in Western New York’s health workforce pipeline and reinforces D’Youville’s leadership in advancing public health, equity, and community-centered education.

About D’Youville University

D’Youville University is a nationally ranked private university founded in 1908 and headquartered in Buffalo, New York, which offers degrees in the health sciences and business. D’Youville University promotes a healthy mind, body, and spirit. Through transformational educational experiences, students are prepared for growth, career success, and upward mobility. For more information, visit dyu.edu.