Certification Training Expands Healthcare Workforce in Taos County

Low-income and marginalized residents in Taos County often face barriers to accessing healthcare services and navigating support systems, while local health care and behavioral health organizations lack trained community health workers and care coordination capacity. This gap in service navigation and workforce support also limits opportunities for career advancement in healthcare-related fields. To address these interconnected challenges, a staff member from the Compostela Community & Family Cultural Institute identified a solution and reached out to LOR for support. Their idea? Provide free community health worker certification training to prepare local residents and health care staff to serve as trusted liaisons between systems of care and the community. With support from LOR, the institute will hire an instructor and deliver a 100-hour certification program across three sessions in July, August, and September. Approximately 10 participants will complete the training, obtain Department of Health registration, and transition into roles in the health care workforce. The program will include participant supports such as gas cards to reduce transportation barriers, snacks and refreshments, training materials, and assistance with certification and background check fees for those with financial need. Strong collaboration with partners—including Taos Pueblo, Rio Grande ATP, Taos Behavioral Health, Holy Cross Hospital, and others—will support recruitment, career pathway connections, and job placement, ultimately strengthening coordination capacity while creating economic opportunity and workforce development pathways for local residents.