Training information for Community Health Workers

Massachusetts has a variety of experienced CHW training organizations. They provide training in core competencies, specialty health topics as well as training for those who supervise CHWs.

Core Competencies for CHWs

The ten core competencies for CHWs were developed over two decades of consensus building in Massachusetts among key stakeholder. Massachusetts’ core competencies are in alignment with national consensus on CHW core competencies. Read more about the core competencies for CHW certification.

1. Outreach Methods and Strategies
2. Individual and Community Assessment
3. Effective Communication
4. Cultural Responsiveness and Mediation
5. Education to Promote Healthy Behavior Change
6. Care Coordination and System Navigation
7. Use of Public Health Concepts and Approaches
8. Advocacy and Community Capacity Building
9. Documentation
10. Professional Skills and Conduct

Training Programs Offering CHW and CHW Supervisor Training

Program	Location	Contact information	Website
Berkshire Community College	1350 West Street Pittsfield, MA 01201	Ms. Tiffany Moreno, Director of Workforce Development Email: [e-mail]  Phone: [phone] Program approved on July 13, 2021	Berkshire Community College: Community Health Worker Certificate
Boston Community Health Education Center (CHEC) (Boston Public Health Commission)	1010 Massachusetts Avenue Boston, MA 02118	Anjali Nath, Program Director Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone] Program approved on June 13, 2023	Boston Public Health Commission: CHEC
Cambridge Health Alliance, Community Health Improvement Learning Institute (CHILI)	350 Main Street, 5th Floor  Malden, MA 02148	Marianne Tokarski, Director of Health Education, Access & Outreach Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone] Program approved on June 13, 2023	Cambridge Health Alliance
Cape Cod Community College	2240 Iyannough Road West Barnstable, MA 02668	Tammi Jacobson, Director/Chief Workforce Development & Training Officer Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone] Program approved on September 10, 2024	Cape Cod Community College
Center for Health Impact	35 Harvard Street, Suite 300 Worcester, MA 01609	Harvard Thompson, Director of Health Integration and Strategy Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone] Program approved on June 13, 2023	Center for Health Impact
Epilepsy Foundation New England	175 Cabot St, #301 Lowell. MA 01854	Kathryn Baley, Director of Community Health Worker Certificate Program Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone] Program approved on March 11, 2025	Epilepsy Foundation New England
Justice Resource Institute (JRI)	555 Amory Street Jamaica Plain, MA 02130	Rachel Weidenfeld, Director of Community Health and Education Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone] Program approved on June 13, 2023	JRI Health: Training
Holyoke Community College (HCC)		Discontinued as of July 1, 2024
Lowell Community Health Education Center (CHEC) (Lowell Community Health Center)	161 Jackson Street Lowell, Ma 01852	Ms. Stacey L Thompson, Director of Workforce Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone] Program approved on July 19, 2022	Lowell Community Health Center: CHEC
Northern Essex Community College	414 Commons Street Lawrence, MA 01840	Ms. Jacqueline Dick, Program Coordinator  Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone]  Program approved on September 14, 2021	Northern Essex Community College
North Shore Community College	1 Ferncroft Road Danvers, MA 01923	Dr. Ron Smith & Dr. Dianne Paltergill Email: [e-mail] and [e-mail] Phone: [phone] Program approved on May 9, 2023	Northshore Community Health Worker - HEA120
Quincy College	1250 Hancock Street Quincy, MA. 02169	Kate Lopci, Vice President of Workforce, Economic, and Institutional Development Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone] Program approved on June 13, 2023	Quincy College
STARR Institute of Fall River (Stanley Street Treatment and Resources)	75 Weaver St. Fall River, MA 02720	Janel Doloiras, Administrator & Project Director Email: [e-mail] Phone (Mobile): 413-219-6633 Phone (Office): 508-989-8612 x2950 Program approved on February 14, 2023	SSTAR – Healthcare From The Heart
Tufts University CO-HERE	136 Harrison Avenue Boston, MA 02111	Dr. Kimberly Dong Breen, Ph.D. Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone] Program approved on August 16, 2022	Community Health Workers Engaging in Integrated Care (COHERE)
University of Massachusetts Boston: Therapeutic Mentoring Community Health Worker Program	100 Morrissey Blvd. Boston, MA 02125	Amy Cook, Associate Professor and Department Chair Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone] Program approved on September 10, 2024	UMass Boston