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 120 CHW’s through our training program and in the last 5 years has provided CEUs to more than 300 CHWs in Central Texas 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
Our Spring 2026 cohort is now full. Stay tuned fore updates for our Fall 2026 registration.
Where
El Buen Samaritano, 7000 Woodhue Drive, Austin, TX 78745
Time
Classes will be in person each Friday from 9am – 1:30pm
To register or for more information, please email mreyes@elbuen.org.
CEU Trainings – 2026
CHW Public Health Professional Development Series is being delivered by the South Texas CHW Workforce Preparedness Collaborative.
Advanced Motivational Interviewing – February 18th
February 18, 2026 from 10am -12pm CST 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....
Navigating Mental Health Conversations – April 29th
April 29th from 9:30am - 12pm CST This training equips Community Health Workers with practical skills and reflective tools to confidently navigate conversations about mental health, trauma, and suicide with cultural humility and care. Participants will draw on both...
Supporting Clients with Mental Health and Substance Use – May 27th
May 27th from 10am - 12pm CST 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...
Trauma Informed Care – June 24th
June 24th from 10am - 12pm 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...
Adolescent Friendly Practices – August 19th
August 19th, from 9am - 12pm 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...
Advanced Motivational Interviewing – October 14th
October 14th from 10am - 12pm 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...
Past CEU Trainings
The Role of CHWs in Public Health – February 6th
The purpose of this training is to help community health workers (CHWs) understand their role and impact in public health. February 6, 2025 from 12pm - 1:30pm CST By the end of this training, participants will be able to: Describe key public health concepts and...
Project Management and Leadership – March 6th
The purpose of this module is to introduce participants to the core principles of project leadership and management, while introducing them to practical project management tools. March 6, 2025 from 12pm – 1:30pm CST By the end of this training, participants will be...
Health Literacy and Teach Back – April 3rd
April 3, 2025 from 12pm - 1:30pm CST The purpose of this training is to explain the teach-back communication technique in detail and provide an opportunity to practice this technique in a learning environment. Objectives: By the end of this training, participants will...
Additional Resources
- Collaboration on research related to CHW
- Specialized training packages for organizations working with CHWs
- Consulting on CHW program planning and implementation.
