Southwestern Area Health Education Center, Inc

What Southwestern Area Health Education Center, Inc does

Southwestern Area Health Education Center, Inc. (Southwestern AHEC or SWAHEC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1998 and headquartered at 5 Research Drive, 2nd Floor, Shelton, Connecticut. It operates as one of four regional centers in the Connecticut AHEC Network, itself part of the national AHEC program created by Congress in 1971 to address healthcare workforce shortages in underserved areas. The organization serves Fairfield and New Haven Counties, including Bridgeport and New Haven, with programs aimed at connecting students to healthcare careers, professionals to communities, and communities to better health.

The organization's product portfolio is a set of community-facing programs rather than a unified software platform. Core offerings include the Immunization Action Plan Program (a CT Department of Public Health designation covering Bridgeport, Stamford, and Greenwich, which uses the state's CT WiZ immunization registry for outreach and tracking), the Health Profession Pipeline (Youth Health Service Corps, Public Health Ambassadors, Collegiate Health Service Corps, Community-Based Experiential Training, and Health*Forward* AmeriCorps), the 90-hour CHW Core Competencies Training aligned with Connecticut's Pathway 1 certification, the Family Bridge CHW pilot based on the Family Connects model, Project STEP for SUD/OUD education, the Dental Outreach Program, and a five-year CDC-funded HPV immunization education grant administered through the National AHEC Organization. The only named technology dependency is CT WiZ, a state-operated immunization information system.

Southwestern AHEC's revenue model is grant-dependent rather than commercial. Funding flows primarily from HRSA (federal), the Connecticut Department of Public Health (state), and program-specific federal grants (notably the CDC HPV grant routed via NAO), supplemented by individual donations processed through the website. No fees are charged for immunization outreach services, and CHW training pricing is not publicly disclosed. The organization is administered under the Connecticut AHEC Program Office at UConn School of Medicine, with formal partnerships spanning academic institutions (Quinnipiac, University of Bridgeport, Fairfield University), health systems (Bridgeport Hospital, St. Vincent's Medical Center), municipal health departments, three tribal nations, and community-based organizations.

Name

Southwestern Area Health Education Center, Inc

Legal name

Southwestern AHEC, Inc.

Website

https://swctahec.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Southwestern Area Health Education Center, Inc. is a Connecticut-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers community health workforce, immunization, and Community Health Worker training programs to underserved populations across Fairfield and New Haven Counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Health Education Services

NAICS

Administration of Public Health Programs (923120), Health Care and Social Assistance (62)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

EHS Training, Competency & Culture Programs (BPAHAJAL), Environmental, Health & Safety / Sustainability (EHS, Environmental Compliance CE) (EDAAALAO)

Keywords

• Community health education
• Immunization outreach programs
• Community health worker training
• Health workforce pipeline
• Public health partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Shelton, Connecticut

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Federal Funding: The AHEC program was developed by Congress in 1971 and receives federal funding. Southwestern AHEC receives federal funding through HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration).
2. State Funding: AHEC programs receive both state and federal funding. The Connecticut AHEC Program was established by the Connecticut General Assembly in 1995 and receives state funding through the CT Department of Public Health.
3. Donations: Organization accepts online donations through their website, with preset amounts ($25, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1000) and custom amounts. Supports monthly, quarterly, and annual recurring donation options.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Southwestern AHEC, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that delivers community health education and outreach programs focused on immunization services, health workforce pipeline development, and community health worker training for underserved populations in Fairfield and New Haven Counties, Connecticut. The organization serves as the CT Department of Public Health's Immunization Action Plan Program provider for Bridgeport, Stamford, and Greenwich, and operates multiple health career preparation programs for high school and college students.

Product overview

Southwestern AHEC operates as a portfolio of community health education programs rather than a unified software product. The organization offers multiple distinct programs focused on health workforce development and immunization services, including the Immunization Action Plan Program serving Bridgeport/Stamford/Greenwich, the Health Profession Pipeline suite (Youth Health Service Corps, Public Health Ambassadors, Collegiate Health Service Corps, Community-Based Experiential Training, Health*Forward* AmeriCorps), Community Health Worker training and certification programs (CHW Core Competencies Training, Oral Health Training, Project STEP, Family Bridge CHW Program), and the NAO HPV Immunization Project. These programs collectively aim to connect students to healthcare careers, professionals to communities, and communities to better health.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Immunization Action Plan Program
• Youth Health Service Corps Health careers recruitment program for high school students that provides career guidance and service opportunities through partnerships with schools and community organizations, culminating in a certificate upon completion.
• Public Health Ambassadors A 45-60 minute presentation for high school students introducing public health concepts, achievements, threats, and career opportunities in the public health field.
• Collegiate Health Service Corps Service program for college students passionate about community service, providing hands-on experiences and training sessions on and off campus with project organization opportunities.
• Community-Based Experiential Training (CBET) Training programs connecting health profession students with community organizations, including the CBET-STRIVE Program for young adults with disabilities served through partnership with Stratford's transition program.
• Health*Forward* AmeriCorps AmeriCorps program where members serve full-time at CT AHEC Network centers, engaging high school, college, and health professional students in service-learning programs.
• CHW Core Competencies Training
• Dental Outreach to Connecticut Communities Program (DOCCP)
• Project STEP (Support Treatment Education and Prevention) Program educating community health workers on substance use disorder (SUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD), increasing CHW capacity to provide resources for patient access and engagement for treatment.
• NAO HPV Immunization Project A five-year CDC grant program through the National AHEC Organization providing education to health professionals regarding the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
• Family Bridge Community Health Worker Program Pilot program utilizing the Family Connects evidence-based model, providing CHW services to families in Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Milford, Monroe, Shelton, Stratford, and Trumbull who give birth at Bridgeport Hospital or St. Vincent's Medical Center, with services delivered through home visits.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves Fairfield and New Haven Counties including Bridgeport and New Haven

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• STRIVE ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Stratford's transition program for young adults with disabilities. Health profession students are placed at the STRIVE program for multi-week commitments to gain experience working with populations with disabilities.
• Quinnipiac University – Nursing ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership to provide training and education for nursing students. Connects university programs with community health workforce development.
• University of BridgeportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership providing education and training opportunities for health profession students in the Bridgeport area.
• Fairfield UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership supporting health profession education and community-based training programs.
• Nancy Kingwood MinistriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership supporting health outreach and education initiatives.
• Janus Center for Youth in CrisisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for youth services and community health programming.
• PT PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhysical therapy partnership supporting rehabilitation and health services.
• Eastern Pequot Tribal NationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal nation partnership for health education outreach to tribal communities.
• Mashantucket Pequot TribeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal nation partnership for health education and community outreach.
• Golden Hill Paugussett TribeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal nation partnership for health education outreach.
• Bridgeport Department of HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal health department partnership for immunization programs and community health initiatives serving Bridgeport residents.
• New Haven Health DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal health department partnership for health education and immunization outreach in New Haven.
• The Umbrella CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity services partnership providing coordinated care and resources for families.
• Connecticut AHEC Program Office at UConn School of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdministers the AHEC program in Connecticut from Farmington. Coordinates statewide AHEC activities across four regional offices.
• Health Education Center (Norwich, CT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCT AHEC regional partner serving Windham and New London Counties. Coordinates health education programs in eastern Connecticut.
• Central AHEC (Hartford, CT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCT AHEC regional partner serving Hartford, Middlesex, and Tolland Counties, Meriden and Wallingford.
• Health 360 (Waterbury, CT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCT AHEC regional partner serving Greater Waterbury, Greater Danbury and Litchfield County.
• CT Department of Public HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency that designates Southwestern AHEC as the Immunization Action Plan Program provider for Bridgeport, Stamford, and Greenwich.
• Housatonic Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal host institution when Southwestern AHEC was established in 1998 to serve southern Fairfield and New Haven counties.
• Sacred Heart UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution from 2002-2006 while Southwestern AHEC sought additional funding and obtained 501(c)(3) status.
• National AHEC Organization (NAO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAO granted Southwestern AHEC a five-year CDC grant for HPV vaccine education to health professionals.
• National Health Service Corps (NHSC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal program providing career advancement opportunities for students completing CHSC service requirements.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Health Education Center (Norwich, CT): CT AHEC regional partner serving Windham and New London Counties. Sister AHEC center within the Connecticut AHEC Network, sharing the same funding structure and programmatic portfolio.
• Health 360 (Waterbury, CT): CT AHEC regional partner serving Greater Waterbury, Greater Danbury, and Litchfield County. Operates as a regional AHEC delivering the same health workforce and community health programs under the CT AHEC umbrella.
• Central AHEC (Hartford, CT): One of the four Connecticut regional AHEC offices, serving Hartford, Middlesex, and Tolland Counties. Operates the same AHEC model with HRSA/state funding and similar workforce pipeline and community health programs.

Broad incumbents

• Partners in Health: Global nonprofit delivering community health worker programs, workforce training, and health systems strengthening. Operates at much greater scale but shares SWAHEC's CHW-empowered community health model.
• UConn School of Medicine – CT AHEC Program Office: Administers the statewide Connecticut AHEC Program from Farmington and coordinates the four regional AHEC offices, including SWAHEC. Operates at the institutional level above SWAHEC.
• AmeriCorps (Corporation for National and Community Service): Federal service program under which SWAHEC operates Health*Forward* AmeriCorps. Provides the national framework, funding, and member infrastructure for SWAHEC's service-learning program.
• National AHEC Organization (NAO): National umbrella organization for the 54 AHEC programs and 200+ centers. Coordinates federal advocacy, distributes CDC grants (including SWAHEC's HPV project), and sets national program standards.

Others

• Connecticut Department of Public Health: State agency that funds SWAHEC and designates it as the Immunization Action Plan provider. Acts as both funder and regulator — central to SWAHEC's operating model rather than a direct competitor.
• HRSA Bureau of Health Workforce: Federal bureau that administers AHEC funding and workforce programs. Functions as the primary federal funding source and policy architect for the AHEC network in which SWAHEC operates.

Emerging players

• Community Health Center, Inc. (CHCI): Federally qualified health center network in Connecticut that operates similar CHW, workforce pipeline, and community health programs in overlapping Connecticut geographies. Comparable mission but broader clinical delivery model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/southwestern-area-health-education-center-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Southwestern Area Health Education Center, Inc