Training and TA Resources

Training resources

Most CHW training is done by the employer, but more resources are becoming available.

This page lists several organizations which can provide training and technical assistance. Other organizations have curriculum materials either free or available for purchase: click here to view the page on curriculum materials resources.

A growing number of community colleges are offering courses and degree programs. While participation in a college-sponsored program is not necessary to obtain State certification in Texas, and college study may not be appropriate for everyone, some CHWs see college education as an opportunity for career development, and may even go on for a four-year degree. Click here to jump to a description of community college programs in Texas and other states.

HETCAT - see description at right under TA Resources.

AVANCE Inc. National Office

AVANCE trains promotoras and home visitors in all of its local chapters, and can assist other organizations with promotora training.

Contact Mercedes Pérez de Colón, Vice President for Program Services, at (210) 273-4630 ext. 121, or click here to send an email.

University of Texas at El Paso
Contact Leticia Paez, (915) 747-8585 or click here

In Texas, MHP provides training primarily in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, but through their headquarters in Michigan, they can assist other groups. Training curriculum materials will be available (Summer 2004) through their new web site (click here). MHP also provides technical assistance through their Capacity-Building Program.
Contact:
Sara Skinner, MPH
National Capacity-Building Director
Migrant Health Promotion
224 W. Michigan Ave.
Saline, MI 48176
(734) 944-0244
Fax: (734) 944-1405
Click here to send email

Based in Hattiesburg, MS, CHSO does direct training and training-of-trainers for Community Health Advisors, and is affiliated with the Community Health Advisor Network (CHAN) which has initiated CHA programs in several southeastern states.
Click here to go to CSHO's web site.

Click here to view descriptions and ordering info for CHSO's training publications.

The Community Health Advisor Network (CHAN), an affiliate of CSHO, has a Community Facilitator (program developer) Handbook and training program. Click here to review the contents of the Handbook.

The March of Dimes offers Comenzando Bien, a specialized training on outreach and education for prenatal care.

Click here for more information on Comenzando Bien training on the MPD web site. Click here to locate your nearest MOD chapter.

For further information, about Comenzando Bien call:
1-888-MODIMES (888-663-4637)
Click here to send an e-mail.

To order the contents of the original curriculum:
In US, call: (800) 367-6630

Or write:
March of Dimes
PO Box 1657
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703
Check, VISA, MasterCard, or Purchase Order accepted.

NOTE: A revised Comenzando Bien curriculum planned for release at the end of 2003.

Technical assistance resources

Several organizations are available to provide assistance in starting and enhancing CHW programs.

Texas Department of State Health Services
TDSHS assists Texas organizations with standards for training and credentialing of CHWs. Applications for certification of CHWs, instructors and sponsoring institutions can be found at the TDSHS web site.

Contact Cecilia Berrios at (512) 458-7111 ext. 2208 for more information, or click here to send email.

Health Education Training Centers Alliance of Texas (HETCAT)
HETCAT, located in El Paso (as of September 2003), has been very much involved in the development of the CHW field in Texas and nationwide.

HETCAT served as lead Texas partner in the HRSA-funded Border Vision Fronteriza initiative, which helped create a "Promotora Academy" in El Paso, and provided Medicaid and CHIP training to hundreds of CHWs along the Border in 1998-99.

More recently, HETCAT has organized annual statewide CHW training workshops, and has done contract training for a number of startup CHW programs. HETCAT is qualified to offer curricula developed by CSHO (see below).

HETCAT
Texas Tech University Health Science Center at El Paso
Click here to send email

HETCAT's regional affiliate in Galveston can also provide assistance.

El Paso: Jim Hastings, (915) 545-6551 or click here to send email.

Galveston: Steve Shelton, (409) 772-7884, or click here

Family Health Foundation
FHF has collaborated with HETCAT and other organizations since 1996, specializing in the potential role of CHWs in programs like Medicaid and CHIP.

FHF, based in San Antonio, can assist with startups, developing CHW job descriptions, program evaluation, design of training curricula, financial modeling of larger CHW programs.

Phone (210) 771-6539
click here to visit FHF's web site or
click here to send an email.

CSHO (see description under Training Resources at left)

Other resource organizations

Virginia Center for Health Outreach

Community Health Worker Network Of NYC

National Health Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition

Migrant Health Promotion (see infoon this page)