Building Bridges Between Communities and Healthcare
Who we are
A community initiative designed to address critical gaps in education and advocacy for Community Health Workers in Ontario
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Building Bridges Between Communities and Healthcare
The CHASM Program will be offered at the Michener Institute of Education, an integral part of the hospital network at UHN. As an educational institution embedded within a hospital, Michener provides an optimal learning environment. By focusing on co-design, collaboration, and equity, the program empowers CHWs from diverse backgrounds to strengthen their role at the intersection of community and hospital-based systems.
Build skills
Builds core CHW skills at the intersection of hospital and community-based systems.
Address gaps
Addresses the educational and training gaps identified in Ontario’s current landscape.
Strengthen capacity
Strengthens CHWs capacity as care providers to work as part of diverse care settings.
Our background
CHWs in Ontario serve as essential links between underserved populations and healthcare or social services
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Addressing critical gaps in care
Despite their invaluable role, CHWs are a largely undervalued and underrecognized workforce. Their status as unregulated care providers (UCPs) often negatively impacts their employment, work in the community, and compensation. Learn more.
Join Us
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Email: researchinstitute@michener.ca
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Location:
200 Elizabeth Street,
Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4
A message from our Directors
Dr. Nikki Woods
On behalf of The Institute for Education Research (TIER), I am excited to introduce the Community Health and Social Medicine (CHASM) Care Worker Certificate Program at The Michener Institute of Education. This innovative program has been designed to bridge the gap between community-based care and hospital systems, empowering community health workers (CHWs) from diverse backgrounds with the skills and knowledge they need to effectively support the communities they serve.
Through the collaborative efforts of our team, community organizations, and partners, we have developed a program that focuses on experiential learning, interprofessional collaboration, and the real-world experiences of CHWs. We are thrilled to be taking this important step toward strengthening the CHW workforce and are eager to see the program make a meaningful impact on both the professionals and communities they serve.
We look forward to sharing more updates as we move toward the official launch and open enrollment in the Spring of 2025.
Stay up to date
Together, let’s empower CHWs to build healthier communities and bridge the gaps in healthcare delivery.