Supporting the Next Generation of Health Professionals through CHAP

As Chicago House’s Employment Program begins to recruit for its 20th Community Health Apprenticeship Program, longtime CHAP program manager Matt Graham (he/they, Employment Program Manager) shared the highlights of his work. Chicago House’s comprehensive programming addresses that the social determinants of health to support individuals in overcoming many of the systemic barriers to accessing healthcare, housing, and employment.

Employment is a critical piece of the social determinants of health, as it provides access to income, social connections, and a sense of pride (NAMI, 2022). At the same time, LGBTQ+ workers of color face numerous barriers to employment, including workplace discrimination, unequal job benefits, and a lack of support for their unique experiences. CHAP was developed in response to both the specific needs of the communities most impacted by HIV in Chicago, and in support of young, LGBTQ+, Black and Latinx people seeking career opportunities.

When the City of Chicago and the Illinois Department of Public Health deputized healthcare agencies to provide HIV tester training to the community, many service providers did not have the infrastructure to accommodate. Chicago House’s distinct knowledge of communities impacted by HIV and existing employment services allowed the organization to respond to this need.

Originally, the Employment Program provided services to long-term survivors of HIV. But, as the need expanded to those who were not currently living with HIV, people from transgender and gender nonconforming communities, and those impacted by other disabilities, the Community Health Apprenticeship Program provided solutions.

CHAP began as an employment initiative for individuals interested in careers in health professions and a specific interest in the working with those impacted by HIV. Recognizing the need for the populations most impacted by HIV to be represented in those who care for these communities, Chicago House developed CHAP to address multiple community needs.

Matt Graham was drawn to Chicago House because of the opportunity to assist with the CHAP’s expansion, and the chance to provide new insights as CHAP grew. CHAP was an innovative solution to meet new and expanding needs of individuals in communities most impacted by HIV and provided an additional client- centered resource for case managers to support their clients

CHAP is unique in its curriculum that extends beyond HIV tester and counselor certification by providing learning opportunities around the field of HIV and community health. CHAP specifically recruits those who are part of the communities most impacted by HIV in Chicago: LGBTQ+, Black and/or Latinx young people (18-34). Many apprentices hope to become leaders in the field, and Chicago House is known within the community as a grassroots provider of affirming and helpful employment resources.

With the support of the Employment Program, CHAP cohorts are given additional tools to think about their future careers and where to apply their skills. Career counselors help apprentices move closer to their goals with resume and interview preparation, while also connecting them to job leads and networking opportunities.

Each cohort offers unique goals, perspectives, strengths and experiences, that allows CHAP to adjust to best serve future cohorts. “We take the pieces we learn from apprentices each cohort to improve the program,” Graham comments, reflecting on what excites them about working with CHAP.

With a network of almost 200 alumni, these participants play an important role in program. CHAP Alumni are invited back to speak about their experiences with new cohorts. Often, the Employment Program hears stories of those who used the tools and resources gained through CHAP to launch their own careers. Graham shared, “hearing about the success of alumni helps motivate apprentices and Chicago House staff alike.”

Graham feels that the alumni who use their CHAP training to return to Chicago House as employees is the highlight of his role as Program Manager.

“I’m so glad that so many people who come through CHAP not only see the work that we do, and say – ‘Not only do I want to work in that community or in that field, but they’re interested in working with us here, at Chicago House.”

Chicago House will be welcoming its twenty-first cohort in February 2023. CHAP remains a staple of the Employment Program at Chicago House, as it introduces young people to fields in community health, and motivates them to become leaders in the field of HIV education, prevention, care and treatment.