CHW Training
Community Health Worker Training
Community Health Workers
A Community Health Worker (CHW) or “promotora” is a trusted member of the community who has a uniquely close understanding of the community served. This relationship enables community health workers to serve as a bridge between health and social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. Community Health Workers are an essential workforce contributing to the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
El Buen Samaritano has played a key role in the strengthening and sustainability of the Community Health Worker workforce in Austin, Travis County since 2012.
Community Health Worker Certification
Certified in 2012 by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), El Buen Samaritano’s bilingual Community Health Worker Training Center provides comprehensive bilingual certification to become Community Health Workers (CHW’s). El Buen has certified over fifty-five CHW’s through our training program and over 125 CHW’s have received (CEU’s) through our Spring and Fall Training Series. El Buen’s training center graduates are culturally competent as well as trained in the CHW Core Competencies for application of these skills to diverse employment opportunities throughout the State of Texas.
When
The next Community Health worker Certification course will be held this Spring 2024 beginning March 1 and ending April 26, 2024.
Where
Classes will be held at El Buen Samaritano, 7000 Woodhue Drive, Austin, TX 78745
Time
Classes will be in person each Friday from 8am – 5pm.
Cost
The reduced cost for the course is $450.00.
To be added to the waitlist, please click the link below.
Registration for the CHW Certification Course is now closed but you can still join our waitlist by completing the above form.
Spring 2024 CHW CEU Training Opportunities
This Spring, el Buen will host our sixth CHW training series for Community Health Workers and wll who are interested. The series will be presented virtually and will offer Continuing Education credits as noted for CHW’s, CHWI’s, and Social Workers.
Trauma-Informed Care
The goal of this course is to provide Community Health Workers with an overview of trauma, how it affects the brain, how it impacts health behaviors and outcomes, the six principles of a trauma-informed approach, and an opportunity to apply at least one trauma-informed strategy in their work with clients. This course consists of 2 hours of pre/post work and a 2-hour live Zoom session. After successfully completing the course, learners may receive 4 hours of DSHS certified CHW CEUs.
When
February 28, 2024
10am – 11:30am
Unconscious Bias
The goal of this course is to provide Community Health Workers with an overview of unconscious bias, culture, and identity; and to learn strategies to disrupt bias interpersonally and institutionally; participants will have the opportunity to apply those strategies to their work with clients. This course consists of 2 hours of pre/post work and a 2-hour live Zoom session. After successfully completing the course, learners may receive 4 hours of DSHS certified CHW CEUs.
When
April 10, 2024
10am – 11:30am
Accessing Healthcare at Planned Parenthood – Answering Sexual Health Questions
This course centers on accessing services at Planned Parenthood with concerns about current laws, funding and parental permission for youth. The discussion will offer a detailed overview of skills needed to answer sexual health questions using age-appropriate language and trauma informed messaging.
When
May 8, 2024
10am – 12:00 noon
Trauma Informed Care 201: Vicarious Trauma and Traumatization
Trauma Informed Care 201 will focus on the effect that working with survivors of trauma and violence can have on service providers. The course will define and describe vicarious trauma and stress strategies for promoting longevity in service provision fields.
When
May 22, 2024
9am – 11am
Advanced Motivational Interviewing
The goal of this course is to provide Community Health Workers with a space to practice and improve advanced motivational skills (MI) through roleplay. A prerequisite e-learning module, “How do I Help my Clients Make Changes to Improve Their Health? An Introduction to Motivational Interviewing for CHWs” is required to join the live Zoom training, however, this course is not meant as an introduction to MI. This training will offer CHWs familiar with MI an opportunity to practice 1) coding sessions for effective use of OARS, 2) ‘defusing discord’, 3) using OARS in a role play, and 4) crafting complex reflections. This course consists of 2 hours of pre/post work and a 2-hour live Zoom session. After successfully completing the course, learners may receive 4 hours of DSHS certified CHW CEUs.
When
May 29, 2024
10am – 12pm
Compassion Fatigue, Burn Out and Self Care
This training will focus it’s discussion on ways to support ourselves as we support our clients and communities in the work that we do.
When
June 5, 2024
9am – 11:00am
Substance Use & Mental Health
The goal of this course is to provide Community Health Workers with increased awareness about issues related to mental health and substance use, including signs and symptoms, and give CHWs tools to help their clients. This course consists of 2.5 hours of pre/post work, including a required prerequisite e-learning module, “Raising Awareness and Offering Help for Mental Health and Substance Use”; and a 1.5-hour live Zoom session. The course is being submitted for CHW and CHW-I CE. We anticipate that after successfully completing the course, learners may receive 4 hours of DSHS certified CHW CEUs.
When
June 26, 2024
10am – 11:30am
Past Events
The Role of CHWs in Public Health
The goal of this course is to clarify and explain public health, core public health competencies, essential public health services, and the role of CHWs in delivering essential public health services. Cardea is in the process of applying for CHW continuing education for 1.5 CHW CEUs.
When
November, 1, 2023
10am – 11:30am
Adolescent Friendly Practices
The goal of this course is to equip Community Health Workers with tips, tools, and strategies to ensure they’re implementing adolescent friendly practices at an individual and organizational level. Participants will learn an overview of the teen brain and the impact of trauma on the teen brain; adolescent friendly behaviors and services; and will have the opportunity to apply the strategies learned to their work with clients. This course consists of a 3-hr live Zoom session. After successfully completing the course, learners may receive 3 hours of DSHS certified CHW CEUs.
When
September 6, 2023
9am – 12pm
Unconscious Bias
The goal of this course is to provide Community Health Workers with an overview of unconscious bias, culture, and identity; and to learn strategies to disrupt bias interpersonally and institutionally; participants will have the opportunity to apply those strategies to their work with clients. This course consists of 2 hours of pre/post work and a 2-hour live Zoom session. After successfully completing the course, learners may receive 4 hours of DSHS certified CHW CEUs.
When
September, 27, 2023
10am – 12pm
Trauma-Informed Care
The goal of this course is to provide Community Health Workers with an overview of trauma, how it affects the brain, how it impacts health behaviors and outcomes, the six principles of a trauma-informed approach, and an opportunity to apply at least one trauma-informed strategy in their work with clients. This course consists of 2 hours of pre/post work and a 2-hour live Zoom session. After successfully completing the course, learners may receive 4 hours of DSHS certified CHW CEUs.
When
October, 18, 2023
10am – 12pm
Reproductive Health Update
Planned Parenthood
Join us at this training for CHW’s or other professionals who provide sexual and reproductive education and/or resources to adults and youth. Participants will learn a basic background of Reproductive Health and will explore topics that include Birth Control, Emergency Contraception and Sexually Transmitted Infections.
When
June 7th, 2023
10am-12pm
Adolescent Friendly Practices
CARDEA
The goal of this course is to equip Community Health Workers with the tips, tools, and strategies to ensure they’re implementing adolescent friendly practices at an individual and organizational level. Participants will learn an overview of the teen brain and the impact of trauma on the teen brain; adolescent friendly behaviors and services; and will have the opportunity to apply the strategies learned to their work with clients.
When
May 24th, 2023
9am-12pm
Unconscious Bias
CARDEA
The goal of this course is to provide Community Health Workers with an overview of unconscious bias, culture, and identity; and to learn strategies to disrupt bias interpersonally and institutionally; participants will have the opportunity to apply those strategies to their work with clients. This course consists of 2 hours of pre/post work and a 2-hour live Zoom session. After successfully completing the course, learners may receive 4 hours of DSHS certified CHW CEUs.
When
May 10th, 2023
10am-12pm
Trauma Informed Care
CARDEA
The goal of this course is to provide Community Health Workers with an overview of trauma, how it affects the brain, how it impacts health behaviors and outcomes, the six principles of a trauma-informed approach, and an opportunity to apply at least one trauma-informed strategy in their work with clients. This course consists of 2 hours of pre/post work and a 2-hour live Zoom session. After successfully completing the course, learners may receive 4 hours of DSHS certified CHW CEUs.
When
April 26th, 2023
10am-12pm
Advanced Motivational Interviewing
CARDEA
The Advanced MI course was created for community health workers who have some knowledge of basic motivational interviewing skills and who want to practice basic and intermediate skills in an interactive and supportive environment. By the end of this training, participants will have the opportunity to: code exemplar MI sessions for effective use of OARS; practice ‘Defusing Discord’; practice OARS techniques in role plays, based on current skill (novice vs advanced); and practice crafting complex reflections for hypothetical client statements. This course consists of 2 hours of pre/post work and a 2-hour live Zoom session; please note that pre-work must be completed in advance of the live Zoom session, to attend the session. After successfully completing the course, learners may receive 4 hours of DSHS certified CHW CEUs.
When
March 29th, 2023
10am-12pm
Motivational Interviewing Skills Learning Session
CARDEA
Enroll now to develop and practice intermediate and advanced Motivational Interviewing (MI) skills. In order to attend, you must have basic knowledge of the skills, techniques and spirit of motivational interviewing. The course consists of 2 hours of pre and post-work, and 2 hours of live instructor-led training via Zoom.
Limit: 40 registrants
Trainer: Mar Padilla
Credit: 4 CHW CEs (Includes 2 hours of self-paced pre and post-work, and 2 hours of live instructor-led training via Zoom
Prerequisites: Participants must have prior knowledge of MI.
When
November 16, 2022
10-12pm Central Time
Presentation and Facilitation Skills Session
CARDEA
Enroll to learn skills and techniques to improve presentation and facilitation activities.
What is the difference between facilitation and presentation? What skills do you need for each? What do you do to keep learners engaged and motivated to learn? This interactive session will help you become a better trainer and facilitator. Be prepared to show off your new skills!
This is a four hour course that will be presented in two sessions on November 2. The sessions will run from 10:00am to noon, and 1:00 to 3:00pm, Central time. Attendance at both session is required in order to receive credit.
Limit: 40 registrants
Trainer: Mar Padilla
Credit: Cardea is in the process of applying for CHW continuing education.
When
November 2,
10-12pm and 1-3pm Central Time
Reproductive Health – Basic Background, Anatomy, Birth Control, Gender Neutral Language
Planned Parenthood
Join us at this training for CHW’s or other professionals who provide sexual and reproductive education and/or resources to adults and youth. Participants will learn a basic background of Reproductive Health and will explore topics that include Anatomy, Birth Control and Gender-Neutral/Diversifying Language.
When
Oct 26, 2022
10:00 AM
TIC201: Vicarious Trauma, Compassion Fatigue, & Burnout
Literacy Coalition of Central Texas
In this course, participants will learn about the types of trauma, how they affect the brain, the impact of trauma on behaviors and health outcomes, and ways to provide trauma-informed care.
When
Oct 12, 2022
9:00 AM
Unconscious Bias
CARDEA
Enroll to learn more about how unconscious bias can affect services and health outcomes.
Our view of the world is shaped by the values we were taught, how we see others, what we assume, and what we expect of others. This is not always a bad thing, but it can be harmful when unconscious biases affect other people. It can lead to worse health outcomes, and it can make our work harder. How can we see our own bias, and how can we create a safe and affirming space for our clients?
This is a four hour course that will be presented in two sessions on September 14. The sessions will run from 10:00am to noon, and 1:00 to 3:00pm, Central time. Attendance at both session is required in order to receive credit.
Limit: 40 registrants
Trainer: Andrea Cosme and Cynthia Cervantes
Credit: Cardea is in the process of applying for CHW continuing education.
When
September 14,
10-12pm and 1-3pm Central Time.
Navigating the Maze: Consent, Confidentiality, and Access to Healthcare for Texas Youth
Texas Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
Texas youth face many barriers to accessing health services, including complicated funding streams and confusing laws around consent to healthcare. This hands-on training will provide a deep dive into the laws that regulate legal consent to healthcare for minors, with a focus on reproductive and mental health care. We will also discuss best practices in patient confidentiality and reporting requirements. We will then provide an overview of the programs that provide reproductive care in Texas (including Title X) and the consent requirements within these programs. The training will include activities to identify personal value systems and beliefs that practitioners may bring into the clinic.
When
August 31st, 2022
9AM-12PM
Reproductive Health
Planned Parenthood
Join us at this training for CHW’s or other professionals who provide sexual and reproductive education and/or resources to adults and youth. Participants will learn a basic background of Reproductive Health and will explore topics that include Anatomy, Birth Control and Gender-Neutral/Diversifying Language
When
May 19th, 2022
1PM-5PM
Trauma Informed Care
CARDEA
In this course, participants will learn about the types of trauma, how they affect the brain, the impact of trauma on behaviors and health outcomes, and ways to provide trauma-informed care.
When
May 11th, 2022**
9AM-12PM
Motivational Interviewing
CARDEA and UT School of Nursing
In this course, participants will learn and practice the underlying philosophy and spirit of Motivational Interviewing that helps people want to make health-related behavior changes. You will also practice core skills to start a behavior change conversation that engages and empowers your clients to take next steps.
When
April 20th, 2022*
9AM-1PM
Mental Health – COVID
CARDEA and UT School of Nursing
In this course, participants will explore mental health and discuss the impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the mental health of individuals.
When
April 6th, 2022*
9AM-11AM
Gender and Sexual Diversity
CARDEA
Participants will: explore the dimensions of gender and sexuality, including sex or gender assigned at birth, sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity; examine the impact of stigma and discrimination; and strategies for creating safer spaces in our agencies for these clients.
When
March 23rd, 2022*
9AM-12PM
Unnatural Causes: Inequality is Making Us Sick
El Buen Samaritano
This course will address the impact of how race and social class impact our health. We will discuss and examine how racial inequality imposes an additional burden on people of color and negatively impacts their health.
When
March 2nd, 2022
9AM-12PM
Covid 101
El Buen Samaritano
Join us at our interactive virtual 2022 COVID 101 training for CHW’s, Community Block Educators, and others working to increase access to COVID education and resources. Topics include: What is Hesitancy, Motivational Interviewing, Communication Skills, and tools to manage difficult conversations about COVID/vaccinations.
When
February 16th, 2022
9AM-12PM
Additional Resources
- Collaboration on research related to CHW
- Specialized training packages for organizations working with CHWs
- Consulting on CHW program planning and implementation.