Igniting Hope. Instilling Confidence. Inspiring Possibility.
A youth community health worker program for ages 14–24 that develops non-clinical peer support specialists through the Public Health credential — grounded in all 11 C3 competencies.
"You can't pour from an empty cup. You can't help others with what you haven't dealt with within yourself."
Before you can serve your community, you have to take care of yourself first. That is why every VPH Academy student is required to participate in ongoing health coaching with a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).
This is not optional. We believe you can not help others with what you have not dealt with within yourself. Health coaching helps you build self-awareness, develop coping strategies, and address your own wellness so you can show up fully for the people you serve.
Built for how Gen Z actually learns — social, gamified, AI-enhanced, and mobile-first.
Every student participates in 1-on-1 health coaching with a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). You can't pour from an empty cup.
Specialize across all dimensions — physical, emotional, social, intellectual, spiritual, environmental, financial, occupational.
Sharpen motivational interviewing skills with AI-powered role-play simulations and real-time feedback.
Launch a student-led public health club at your school.
Earn XP, unlock badges, maintain streaks, and level up as you build real-world health competencies.
55+ hours of training aligned with Arkansas CHW standards, C3 national competencies, and ARCHWA requirements.
Grounded in public health research — County Health Rankings, Camara Jones, Joycelyn Elders, WHO SDOH framework.
55 hours across 5 phases — aligned with Arkansas ARCHWA requirements and C3 national standards.
Build core CHW competencies covering communication, interpersonal skills, professional conduct, and the knowledge base. Aligned with Arkansas C3 competencies 1, 2, 9, and 11.
Master outreach, advocacy, capacity building, service coordination, and community assessment. Covers Arkansas C3 competencies 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8.
Develop education/facilitation skills, evaluation & research methods, and motivational interviewing (OARS). Covers Arkansas C3 competencies 6 and 10, plus MI skills development.
Apply competencies through guided service across 2+ wellness dimensions (SAMHSA framework). Service hours logged here count toward your 25-hour capstone requirement.
Log a minimum of 25 service hours through supervised field experience (extra hours earn bonus XP!). Includes a community health project, reflective journaling, mentor evaluation, portfolio development, and final project presentation.