The Community Health Worker Association of Rhode Island offers the following trainings to boost the skills and effectiveness of your workforce! Some of these trainings are only offered once a year, some more often. Read full course descriptions below and check out our calendar and newsletter for upcoming dates.
RI Certification Board (RICB) Credential Trainings:
Community Health Worker (CHW) Core Competency Training
72 hours | Free | Required to apply for CCHW Certification
This training is intended to prepare participants for entry-level CHW positions in community-based social service, healthcare and behavioral health settings. It addresses the nine Core Competencies of a CHW and, along with 1000 CHW hours, qualifies one to apply for the RICB CHW Certification (CCHW).
This training is intended to prepare participants for entry-level CHW positions in community-based social service, healthcare and behavioral health settings. It addresses the nine Core Competencies of a CHW and, along with 1000 CHW hours, qualifies one to apply for the RICB CHW Certification (CCHW).
Rhode Island College’s Community Health Worker training includes 12 modules (6 hrs each) aligned with a set of competencies defined by the Rhode Island Department of Health.
Modules
Module 1: Introduction to the Community Health Worker
Module 2: Introduction to Public Health/Community Health Concepts and Approaches
Module 3: Introduction to Behavioral Health
Module 4: Health Literacy
Module 5: Practice and Philosophy of Care
Module 6: Ethics and Professionalism
Module 7: Safety and Self-Care
Module 8: Engagement with Clients
Module 9: Promoting Health and Well-Being
Module 10: Care Coordination and System Navigation
Module 11: Advocacy and Leadership
Module 12: Culture Humility: Appropriate Responsiveness Training
Training Characteristics
Very interactive – between instructor/participant, as well as between participant/participant.
Draws from real life experience – through case studies and participants’ examples.
Active – role plays, pair work, group work.
Videos and visuals – used to demonstrate best practices and what not to do.
Personalized – participants are encouraged to bring their personal style, information and experience to bear on the class.
Emphasizes behavioral health – unlike many CHW core trainings, this model emphasizes behavioral health throughout its curriculum. IEH believes behavioral health awareness, and to some extent practice, should integrate into almost every health care environment.
2019’s Graduating CHWs and Staff!
Learn more about the Core Competencies of a CHW here!
The next training dates will be announced via Facebook and our Newsletter. Though we will announce it through the newsletter, you can always enquire about the next training dates here: [email protected]!
HIV CHW Training
45 hours | Free | CCHW Required | Needed for RICB HIV Specialty Endorsement
This entry level curriculum will provide specialized training for community health workers serving people living with, at risk for, and impacted by, HIV/AIDS. “I work with HIV positive women. This training made me feel more comfortable with my engagement skills,” stated course participant, Katie Gonzalez, CCHW, CPRS.
This entry level curriculum will provide specialized training for community health workers serving people living with, at risk for, and impacted by, HIV/AIDS. “I work with HIV positive women. This training made me feel more comfortable with my engagement skills,” stated course participant, Katie Gonzalez, CCHW, CPRS.
Modules:
Module 1 – HIV 101 Basics
Module 2 – HIV Testing Antiretroviral Therapy
Module 3 – CHW and HIV Client Engagement and Motivational Interviewing
Module 4 – Social Determinants, Social Populations, and Stigma
Module 5 – Behavioral Health Part 1
Module 6 – Behavioral Health Part 2
Module 7 – Cultural Humility and Advocacy
Module 8 – HIV PH Policies, Linkage to Care/Resources and Documentations
Module 9 – HIV PH Policies, Linkage to Care/Resources and Documentations
Module 10 – Ethics, Professional Burnout/Stress, Self-Awareness and Self-Care
Older Adults CHW Training
30 hours | Free | CCHW required | Needed for RICB CCHW Specialty in Older Adults Endorsement
Help aging clients live longer, healthier more vibrant lives! This training’s full title is “Building Holistic Partnerships with Older Adults: A Community Health Work, Person-Centered & Social Determinants of Health Approach.”
Help aging clients live longer, healthier more vibrant lives! This training’s full title is “Building Holistic Partnerships with Older Adults: A Community Health Work, Person-Centered & Social Determinants of Health Approach.”
Modules:
Sociological Contexts of Aging
Practice Perspective
Social Determinants of Health and Aging (Medicare)
Threats to Healthy Aging: Behavioral Health
Threats of Healthy Aging: Dementia
Healthy Aging
Empowering Partnerships
Cardiovascular Health & Diabetes Management (CVD/DM)
30 hours | Free | CCHW required | Needed for RICB CCHW Specialty in CVD/DM
Diabetes and heart disease often go hand in hand and heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Participants learn how to effectively help community members manage their chronic conditions to live longer, healthier lives!
Diabetes and heart disease often go hand in hand and heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Participants learn how to effectively help community members manage their chronic conditions to live longer, healthier lives!
Modules:
Stroke
Heart Attack
Heart Failure
Atrial Fibrillation (Afib)
High Blood Pressure
High Blood Cholesterol
Pre-Diabetes & Diabetes
Healthy Eating & Weight Control
Patient Driven Health Care
Mental Health & Wellness
CHWARI Specialty Trainings:
CHW Supervisor Training
30 hours | Free | CCHW & Experience Required
Designed by CHWs for CHWs, this advanced training is for those currently in the supervisor role or preparing for it. This training gives CHWs the tools to maximize effectiveness. Experience as a CHW or deep familiarity with CHW work required.
Designed by CHWs for CHWs, this advanced training is for those currently in the supervisor role or preparing for it. This training gives CHWs the tools to maximize effectiveness. Experience as a CHW or deep familiarity with CHW work required.
Modules:
Supervision Practices
Restorative Practices and Conflict Resolution
Addressing Racism in Supervision
Hiring and Onboarding CHWs
Keeping CHWs Safe
Quality Improvement
Community Health Work Ethics
Sustaining Excellent Supervision
Building Community Partnerships
Public Health CHW Training
30 hours | Free | CCHW required
CHWs will acquire a deeper understanding of the areas of public health and relationships between health of individuals, organized entities, and systems. They will gain the skills necessary to advocate for systems-level change towards improving public health in RI and more!
CHWs will acquire a deeper understanding of the areas of public health and relationships between health of individuals, organized entities, and systems. They will gain the skills necessary to advocate for systems-level change towards improving public health in RI and more!
Modules:
The CHW Role in Public Health
The Impact of Place on Health
Essential Skills and Knowledge Base
Essential Skills and Knowledge Base
Public Health Policy and Advocacy
RI Public Health Infrastructure
CHW Careers in Public Health
Using Case Study or Storytelling
Racial & Social Justice CHW Training
30 hours | Free
This training is an immersive conversational experience to develop self-awareness and empowerment in the face of racial discrimination, as well as to share strategies and resources to promote racial and social justice in Rhode Island.
This training is an immersive conversational experience to develop self-awareness and empowerment in the face of racial discrimination, as well as to share strategies and resources to promote racial and social justice in Rhode Island.
In RIC’s Racial & Social Justice Training for CHWs, though social injustice broadly is referenced, the focus of the training is on how racism has developed in historical context and situates itself in various systems across society.
Interpersonal Violence Training for CHWs
30 hours | Free | Six+ Months CHW Experience Required
This training aids CHWs in addressing interpersonal violence experienced by clients and help them to access community resources. This course will prepare community health workers with the skills needed to be a victim service advocate.
This training aids CHWs in addressing interpersonal violence experienced by clients and help them to access community resources. This course will prepare community health workers with the skills needed to be a victim service advocate.
Modules:
Introduction and Basics of Victim Advocacy
Core Competencies and Skills
Crimes and Justice Systems
Considerations for Special Populations
Services and Resources
Oral Health CHW Training
6 hours | Free
Oral Health affects overall health! Learn the basics to keep your clients healthy! The chief of the Oral Health Program at the RI Department of Health instructs.
CHW and Housing Training
3.5 hours | Free
Many Rhode islanders are spending more than half of their income on housing, when they can find it. This training introduces CHWs to the “lay of the land” regarding housing in RI. They will learn about housing resources, challenges, partnering opportunities, advocacy, and employment of CHWs in the sector.
