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.
- Outreach Methods and Strategies
- Individual and Community Assessment
- Effective Communication
- Cultural Responsiveness and Mediation
- Education to Promote Healthy Behavior Change
- Care Coordination and System Navigation
- Use of Public Health Concepts and Approaches
- Advocacy and Community Capacity Building
- Documentation
- Professional Skills and Conduct
Training Programs Offering CHW and CHW Supervisor Training
| Program | Location | Contact information | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Community Health Education Center (CHEC) (Boston Public Health Commission) |
Boston | Luisa Tavares Phone: (617) 534-2432 or (617) 534-5181 |
Boston Public Health Commission: CHEC |
| Lowell Community Health Education Center (CHEC) (Lowell Community Health Center) |
Lowell | CHEC@lchealth.org | Lowell Community Health Center: CHEC |
| Outreach Worker Training Institute, (Center for Health Impact) |
Worcester | Phone: (508) 756-6676 | Center for Health Impact |
| Holyoke Community College | Holyoke |
Liv Anna Homstead, lhomstead@hcc.edu |
Holyoke Community College: Free Community Health Worker Classes |
| Northern Essex Community College | Lawrence |
Jacqueline Dick, Program Coordinator |
Northern Essex Community College: Health@NECC |
| JRI Health | Boston | Rachel Weidenfeld, Director of Community Health rweidenfeld@jri.org Phone: (857) 399-1915 x2423 Fax: (857) 399-1901 |
JRI Health: Training |
| Berkshire Community College | Pittsfield | Elena V Nuciforo enuciforo@berkshirecc.edu |
Berkshire Community College: Community Health Worker Certificate |
|
Cambridge Health Alliance, Community Health Improvement Learning Institute (CHILI) |
Cambridge |
Katie Teague, Program Manager Jamila Xible, Director |
Cambridge Health Alliance |
|
North Shore Community College |
Lynn |
Lorraine Boyd |
Northshore Community Health Worker - HEA120 |
|
New England Public Health Training Center, BU School of Public Health |
Online |
Karla Todd, Senior Program Manager, Training Specialist |
New England Public Health Training Center |