CHW Report

Report of College and University Programs
Awarding Credit, Certificates, and/or Degrees in the
Community Health Worker Field
February 2002

Center for Sustainable Health Outreach
The University of Southern Mississippi
Box 10015
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0015
Phone 601.266.6266/ Fax 601.266.6262
E-mail: Susan.Johnson@usm.edu

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Background: Although a number of educational institutions in the United States offer courses, certificates, or degrees in the community health worker field, there is no compilation of those programs and their offerings. With the growth of the community health worker field, it is believed that a document describing these programs would be helpful to those institutions who offer such programs and to community health workers as they engage in discussions about certification, degrees, career ladders, and related issues. This paper represents a first attempt to catalog community health worker education programs in the United States.

Purpose: To identify college and university credit, certificate and degree-granting programs for the generalist community health worker.

Methods: Community health worker programs were identified through an Internet search process, the listserv of the Center for Sustainable Health Outreach, a survey of community health workers attending the Center for Sustainable Health Outreach's annual Unity Conference in 2001, and contacts with members of the Center for Sustainable Health Outreach Advisory Committee. Programs are described in terms of their institutional setting, a program overview, admission criteria, curriculum, and contact persons.

Limitations: This document is limited to the generalist CHW and does not extend to programs that specialize in targeted areas such as substance abuse, maternal and child health, and HIV/AIDS. Due to minimal interaction between community health worker programs, it is likely that additional institutions have offerings for community health workers. As this document is circulated among programs and posted on the Web site of the Center for Sustainable Health Outreach, it is hoped that additional institutions with programs will be identified and added to the document.

Discussion: A total of fifteen programs were identified, with some programs offering courses at multiple sites. The majority of programs were offered in partnerships with community programs or agencies and many were offered in community settings rather than on college campuses to better meet the needs of participants. Credit hours offered ranged from 3 to 120 with the majority of programs offering a certificate in community health work. Some institutions would apply the certificate credit hours toward an associate's degree. Four institutions offered an associate's degree in community health work, one offered a bachelor's degree, and a small number of institutions have planned a career ladder that may lead to a bachelor's or master's degree. Programs were identified in 10 states, as shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Numbers of Programs by State

Information about credit opportunities for community health workers was gathered from each institution. Table 2 provides an overview of institutions and credit offerings for community health workers.

Table 2: Institutions Offering Course Work, Certificates, or Degrees in
Community Health Work

The remainder of this paper provides an examination of the community health worker offerings identified in the study. For each program, the following information is addressed:

Institution: University of Alaska Southeast-Sitka Campus; Sitka, Alaska

Program: Community Wellness Advocate (CWA) Training Program, with credit applicable to an associate of arts degree

Program Overview: The CWA program is a joint effort of the University of Alaska Southeast and the SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium and is intended for village health workers and human service workers who want to improve their skills in health education and health promotion. The training program for CWAs consists of three 4-credit courses taught over a twelve-month time frame. These credit courses may be applied toward a CWA certification program (pending), an associate of arts degree, or transferred into a bachelor's program.

The first and last courses require one-week residencies on the Sitka campus, while the second course is offered by means of distance learning. The three required courses, which must be taken in sequence, introduce students to public health principles, assessing and utilizing health resources, foundations of health education, skills for health promotion, and health concerns specific to the Alaska population.

Credit Hours: 12

Admission: Individuals may take classes without being admitted to the university if they are not working toward a degree. Admission is guaranteed to residents of Alaska who are high school graduates or who have earned a GED. The prerequisite to the CWA courses is the English Placement Test, admission to the CWA program, or instructor's permission.

Curriculum:
Community Wellness Advocate Training I- Requires a one-week residency. Topics include an introduction to health and wellness, public health principles, Alaska's health systems and issues, health promotion ethics, health, and human rights.

Community Wellness Advocate Training II- Distance learning. Topics include health education models, behavior change, counseling skills, communication techniques, specific health topics, health risk appraisals, and health education methodology.

Community Wellness Advocate Training III- Requires a one-week residency. Topics include health education theories and models, strategies for health education, group facilitation, networking, collaboration, outreach skills, grant-writing skills, and cultural competence for health promotion. Focusing on specific health topics, students will incorporate the skills and knowledge they’ve developed into creating programs and writing grants for their home communities.

Contact:

Roz Jenkins, CHES
Coordinator, Community Wellness Advocate Program
SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium
Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital
222 Tongass Drive
Sitka, Alaska 99835
907.966.8799
E-mail: Roz.Jenkins@searhc.org

Institution: University of Arizona Health Sciences Center/Project Jump Start coordinates the program, which is implemented by an Arizona Community College Partnership at these community colleges: Cochise College, Central Arizona College, Northland Pioneer College, Pima Community College.

Program: Arizona Community Health Worker Program/ Project Jump Start

Program Overview: The program was funded by the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) with the objective of creating a credit-earning certificate for community health workers. The program addresses the core roles and competencies for community health workers outlined in the "National Community Health Advisor Study." program coordination takes place through the Arizona Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Program of the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, and the basic certificate is offered at four community colleges.

Credit Hours: 16

Admission: Those persons with a high school diploma, GED holders or adult learners ages 18 and older are eligible for admission. Additionally, a health screening and proof of current immunization status are required.

Curriculum:
Introduction to Community Health Advising- 3 credits.

Community Health Advisor Field Work- 6 credits. Field work validation of skills and competencies requires a minimum of 320 clock hours, and placements are typically in a student's community.

Introduction to Social (Work) (Welfare) (Community Health Agencies)- 3 credits. Title of course varies among the community college partners.

First Aid and CPR- 1 credit.

Communication Course Elective- 3 credits. Includes courses such as reading, writing, speech, computer skills, English as a second language, and conversational Spanish.

Contacts:

Donald E. Proulx, Program Director (ext. 213)
Nancy Collyer, Program Coordinator (ext. 216)
Arizona Community Health Worker Program
Arizona AHEC
140 North Tucson Boulevard
Tucson, Arizona 85716
Telephone: 520.318.7151
E-mail: collyer@u.arizona.edu

Community College Contacts:
Lea Dodge
Cochise College
4190 West Highway 80
Douglas, Arizona 85607
Telephone: 520.364.0216

Eleanor Strang
Central Arizona College
8470 North Overfield Road
Coolidge, Arizona 85228
Telephone: 520.426.4444

Brenda Manthei
Northland Pioneer College
P.O. Box 610
Holbrook, Arizona 86025
Telephone: 520.289.6550

Mark Homan
Pima Community College
2202 West Anklam Road
Tucson, Arizona 85709
Telephone: 520.206.6958
Telephone: 520.626.7946

Institution: City College of San Francisco in partnership with San Francisco State University; San Francisco, California

Program: Community Health Worker Certificate

Program Overview: The Annie E. Casey Foundation recognized this program as one of 15 excellent health training programs in the United States. Individuals are trained to function as community health workers in health clinics and outreach programs. The CHW is prepared to be part of the health care team and function as the bridge between communities and the health and social services systems. The certificate is intended to meet the needs of a racially and ethnically diverse population. Program leaders worked closely with the San Francisco Department of Public Health to ensure that certificate holders are eligible for employment. While the program may be completed in two semesters if a student attends on a full-time basis, it may also be completed on a part-time basis. Specific options are available for students who wish to pursue an associate's, bachelor's or master's degree.

Credit Hours: 17

Admission: Admissions are made each spring for core classes that begin the following fall. Admission is based on a written application and documented successful work as a Community Health Worker OR completion of the one-credit hour Introduction to Community Health Work. Enrollment is limited.

Curriculum:

Required Courses: Total of 13 units
Community Health Worker Skills- 3 units
Community Health Worker Field: Health Services- 3 units
Preparation for Field Experience- 2 units
Community Health Worker Field Experience- 2 units
Health Education and Prevention- 3 units

Select 4 units from 2 or more of the following courses
Health and Aging- 3 units
Pediatric CPR and First Aid- .5 units
Basic Life Support/First Aid for Health Providers- 1 unit
CPR, Advanced First Aid and Emergency Care- 2 units
Women's Health Issues- 3 units
Women's Health: Advanced Issues- 3 units
Men's Health Issues- 3 units
Drugs and Society- 3 units
AIDS: The Epidemic- 1 unit
HIV/AIDS Peer Education- 3 units
HIV/AIDS Peer Education: Advanced Issues- 3 units
HIV/AIDS Peer Education: Directed Practice- 3 units
Selected Topics in Health- .5 to 3 units
Introduction to Phlebotomy- 2 units
Politics of Sexual Violence- 3 units
Ending Sexual Violence: Peer Education- 3 units
Basic Medical Skills- 4 units

Contact:

Community Health Worker Training Program
Department of Health Education
San Francisco State University
265A Old Science
1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, California 94131-1742
Telephone: 415.338.3034
Fax: 415.338.0561
E-mail: chw@sfsu.edu

Institution: East Los Angeles College

Program: Community Health Worker Certificate and Degree

Program Overview: [information not available at time of publication]

Credit Hours: [information not available at time of publication]

Admission: [information not available at time of publication]

Contact: East Los Angeles College
1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez
Monterey Park, CA 91754
Telephone: 323.265.8650
E-mail: east@laccd.edu

Institution: El Paso Community College; El Paso, Texas

Program: Community Health Advocacy/Promotores de Salud

Program Overview: El Paso Community College offers a one-year basic certificate program in community health advocacy that is approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. After completion of the basic certificate program, individuals may choose to pursue an advanced certificate in an adult or pediatric specialty. Community health advocates are employed in a variety of settings including private health agencies, nonprofit agencies, schools, and clinics.

Credit Hours: 26

Admission: The program has an open admission policy with no GED or state-level testing required.

Curriculum: The one-year basic certificate program provides a theoretical foundation for community work as well as practical experience. Twenty-six credit hours in health theories, patient and client care, and field experience are included in the program. Advanced certification requiring 20-21 additional credit hours is offered in both adult and pediatric specialties.

First Semester
Practicum (or Field Experience) Community Health Advocate I- 2 credit hours
Introduction to Community Health- 3 credit hours
Community Nutrition- 3 credit hours
Wellness and Health Promotion- 2 credit hours
Language of Health Care- 3 credit hours

Second Semester
Practicum (or Field Experience) Community Health Advocate II- 2 credit hours
Environmental Health- 3 credit hours
Community Health Promotion and Health Advocacy- 4 credit hours
Medical Law/Ethics for Health Professionals- 2 credit hours
Medical Terminology- 2 credit hours

Contact:

Leticia Flores
Community Health Advocacy/Promotores de Salud Coordinator
El Paso Community College
P.O. Box 20500
El Paso, Texas 79998-0500
Telephone: 915.831.4454
Fax: 915.831.4414
E-mail: LeticiaF@epcc.edu

Institution: Ivy Tech State College Northwest in partnership with HealthVisions Midwest and St. Catherine Hospital; East Chicago, Indiana

Program: Community Health Worker Program Career Development Certificate

Program Overview: Ivy Tech State College, HealthVisions Midwest, and St. Catherine Hospital working in partnership have developed a community health worker curriculum that includes course work, self-paced learning, and practical field experience. The institution also has plans to offer a technical certificate of 30 credit hours and an associate’s degree of 60 credit hours. HealthVisions Midwest actively works to find positions for students who complete the certificate and is also active in recruiting students into the program. The program focuses on the development of communication skills, education and prevention of various diseases and conditions, knowledge about the community health movement, facilitation of community-based health care change, impact of cultural diversity on health, and lifelong learning.

Credit Hours: 26-27

Admission: A high school diploma or GED completion is required for admission.

Curriculum: Course work and related learning experiences may be completed in two semesters. As part of the program, students are actively involved in fieldwork and professional development experiences. Students develop expertise in human sciences, communication, and human services.

Required Courses: total of 26 or 27 credit hours
Anatomy and Physiology I- 3 credits and
Anatomy and Physiology II- 3 credits
OR
Integrated Life Science- 5 credits
Interpersonal Communication- 3 credits
Introduction to Human Services- 3 credits
Helping Relationships- 3 credits
Co-op/Internships- 2 credits
Wellness and Prevention Techniques- 3 credits
Community Health Concepts- 3 credits
Internship I- 4 credits

Contact:
Sister Annemarie Kampwerth
HealthVisions Midwest
4522 Indianapolis Boulevard
East Chicago, Indiana 46312
Telephone: 219.397.4335
Fax: 219.397.4651
E-mail: akampwerth@hvusa.org

Institution: Kapiolani and Leeward Community Colleges/Wai`anae Health Academy
Hawaii

Program: Community Health Worker Certificate

Program Overview: Students who complete this program will be prepared to act as a liaison between disadvantaged families and health care resources. Upon completion of the 17 credit/16 week program, community health workers will be able to demonstrate a number of competencies including needs assessment, functioning as a member of the health care team, identification and utilization of resources, identification of health problems with linkage to resources and provision of basic services, home visitation skills, skills for working with individuals and families, communication skills, and case management. In order to receive a certificate, grades of "C" or higher must be earned in every course.

Credit Hours: 17

Admission: The program is limited to special enrollment.

Curriculum:

Human Biology or Human Anatomy and Physiology- 3 credits
Introduction to the Study of Diseases- 1 credit
Community Health Worker- 4 credits
Community Health Worker Externship and Seminar- 3 credits
Individual Counseling- 3 credits
Special Topics/ Needs Assessment- 3 credits

Contact:
Linda Miguel
Education Director
Wai`anae Health Academy
Telephone: 606.696.3155
E-mail: miguell001@hawaii.rr.com

Institution: University of Massachusetts Medical School; Office of Community Programs, Worcester Latino Coalition, Quinsigamond Community
College, University Without Walls/ University of Massachusetts Amherst, Worcester State College; Worcester, Massachusetts

Program: The Next Step Program

Program overview: The Next Step Program was developed by the Office of Community Program at the University of Massachusetts Medical School with the Worcester Latino Coalition. It is an educational partnership between Quinsigamond Community College, the University Without Walls program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Worcester State College. The Next Step Program was designed for workers who have a number of years of experience in a health profession but who have no degree. Students without college experience may pursue a 30-credit certificate or a 60-64-credit associate's degree at Quinsigamond Community College. Those who have 30 or more college credits or an associate's degree enter the program at the University Without Walls/University of Massachusetts Amherst where over the course of two semesters focus is placed on development of analytical reading, thinking, and writing skills (first semester) and the development of a portfolio documenting their community health experience (second semester). Students typically receive 15-24 credits though this process. After success completion of the portfolio, students may choose to transfer into the bachelor's program at Worcester State College, a 120-credit program.

Credit hours: 30-credit certificate, 60-64-credit associate's degree, 120-credit
bachelor's degree

Admission- Criteria vary with point of entry in the process.

Curriculum- A wide variety of health degrees and certificates are available.

Contacts-
Nancy Jodaitis
Next Step Project Coordinator
Phone: 508.856.4876
Fax: 508-756-9825

Maria Addison
Quinsigamond Community College
Phone: 508.854.4438

Rick Hendra
University Without Walls (portfolio development)
508.882.3083

Lynn Bloomberg
Worcester State College (bachelor's degree)
508.929.8137

Institution: Mission College; Santa Clara, California

Program: Community Health Worker Certificate and Associate of Science

Program Overview: Students are trained to become liaisons between consumers and providers of health care services. Roles for which the student is prepared include communicating health information to encourage proper utilization of services, instruction in preventive health, and utilizing expertise to link consumers with appropriate care.
The program is offered as either a certificate or an associate of science degree in community health work.

The primary focus of the program is to further train those persons who are already employed in health care settings in order to enhance performance in their current position or to create opportunities for career mobility. Thirty units are required for a certificate, and a minimum of 60 units including general education is required for the associate degree. Only grades of "C" or higher apply toward satisfactory completion of the certificate.

Credit Hours: 30 hours for a certificate, 60 hours for an associate degree

Admission: Applicants must complete Mission College assessment tests and clarify career goals before or during the first semester of enrollment.

Curriculum:

Required Courses:
Emergency and Disaster Preparedness- .5 unit
Community Health Problems- 3 units
Health and Lifestyle- 3 units
Standard First Aid- .5 units
Drug Use and Human Disease- 2 units
Introduction to Sociology- 3 units
Interpersonal Communication- 3 units
Human Growth and Development- 3 units
Cooperative Work Experience- 8 units

And 4 units from the following:

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation- .5 unit
Nursing Assistant Fundamentals- 3.5 units
Nursing Assistant Clinicals- 2 units
Obstetrical Nursing- 2 units
Introduction to Gerontology- 2 units
Introduction to Child Health Care- 1.5 units
Courses in bold face are highly recommended.

Contacts:
Edith Dooley, Director
Dr. Carol Beck, Counselor
Dr. Mary Moore, Counselor
300 Mission College Boulevard
Santa Clara, California 95054
Telephone: 408.855.5374

Institution: Northwest Vista College; San Antonio, Texas

Program: Community Health Worker, Associate of Applied Science

Program Overview: Graduates are prepared to become members of the health care system by working with nurses and public health professionals. The 64-credit program provides highly specialized training, and a 26-credit certificate is also available.

Credit Hours: 65-66 for an associate degree and 26 credits for a certificate

Admission: A high school diploma or GED is required for regular admission. All students are also responsible for meeting Texas Academic Skills Program requirements.

Curriculum:

Community Health Certificate
Total Credit Hours: 26

Semester 1
Introduction to Community Health- 3 credit hours
Introduction to Speech Communication- 3 credit hours
Human Relations- 3 credit hours

Semester 2
Health Care Delivery Systems- 3 credit hours
Drugs and Human Health- 3 credit hours
Social Psychology- 3 credit hours

Semester 3
Wellness and Health Promotion- 2 credit hours
Nutrition in the Community- 3 credit hours
Special Topics in Community Health Liaison- 3 credit hours

Community Health Associate of Applied Science
Total Credit Hours: 65-66

Semester 1
Introduction to Community Health- 3 credit hours
Medical Terminology- 3 credit hours
Drugs and Human Health- 3 credit hours
Freshman Composition I- 3 credit hours
Career Spanish OR Early Elementary Spanish- 3-4 credit hours

Semester 2
Health Care Delivery Systems- 3 credit hours
Social Psychology- 3 credit hours
Freshman Composition II- 3 credit hours
Human Anatomy and Physiology- 4 credit hours
First Aid and CPR- 3 credit hours

Semester 3
Introduction to Computers and Information Systems- 3 credit hours
Environmental Health- 3 credit hours

Semester 4
Wellness and Health Promotion- 2 credit hours
Introduction to Speech Communication- 3 credit hours
Community Ethics- 3 credit hours
Introduction to Health Records- 3 credit hours
Human Relations- 3 credit hours

Semester 5
Human Sexuality- 3 credit hours
Nutrition in the Community- 3 credit hours
Special Topics in Community Health Liaison- 3 credit hours
Internship Health Information Technology/Technician- 5 credit hours

Contact:
Lynn Schmitz
3535 North Ellison Drive
San Antonio, Texas 78251
Telephone: 210.348.2284
E-mail: schmitz@accd.edu

Institution: Portland Community College Institute for Health Professionals, Multnomah County Health Department, the GEARS Program of Metropolitan Family Services, Neighborhood Health Clinics, Inc., and the Opening Doors Program of the Washington County Community Action Program; Portland, Oregon

Program: Community Health Worker Capacitation Center

Program Overview: The Community Health Worker Capacitation Center is a partnership of the Multnomah County Health Department, Portland Community College Institute for Health Professionals, the GEARS Program of Metropolitan Family Services, Neighborhood Health Clinics, Inc., and the Opening Doors Program of the Washington County Community Action Program. The program, which utilizes popular education methodology, is six weeks in length, and those who successfully complete it earn 16 hours of academic credit from Portland Community College.

Credit Hours: 16

Admission: Applicants must be employed as community health workers by the Multnomah County Health Department or one of the partner agencies. Community health workers employed at other agencies will also have access to the program.

Curriculum: Skill development, health issues and an orientation to the health and social service system are the three components of the program. The curriculum was developed based on the findings of the National Community Health Worker Study. Community health workers play an active role in teaching the courses.

The skill bases component addresses the following components:
1. Advocacy skills
2. Communication skills
3. Counseling skills
4. Cross-cultural skills
5. Documentation skills
6. Leaderships skills
7. Organizational skills
8. Outreach skills
9. Self-care skills
10. Service coordination and collaboration skills
11. Teaching skills I and II
12. Introduction to program evaluation

Orientation to the health and social service system addresses these topics:
1. Access to care: OHP, CHIP, FHIAP
2. Agency and coalition overview
3. Introduction to managed care
4. Introduction to public health
5. Orientation to the CHW profession
6. The social justice roots of the community health worker model
7. Safety issues for community health workers

Health issues addressed in training are
1. Breastfeeding
2. Child abuse prevention
3. Child development in the first year of life
4. Child health in the first year of life
5. Childbirth
6. Introduction to chronic diseases: diabetes
7. Family planning
8. HIV/STDs
9. Introduction to maternal and child health
10. Mental health
11. Parenting skills
12. Prenatal health I and II
13. Prevention of communicable diseases
14. Role of nutrition and exercise in promoting health
15. Substance abuse

Contact:

Noël Wiggins or Teresa Rios
Multnomah County Health Department
426 SW Stark, 8th Floor
Portland, OR 97204
Telephone: 503.988.3663, extension 26646
E-mail: MHNX@co.multnomah.or.us

Institution: Santa Rosa Junior College; Santa Rosa, California

Program: Community Health Worker Program

Program Overview: This program provides training for those persons wishing to enter the community health worker field and for those community health workers who wish to further their skills. The program is designed so that it may be completed in two semesters, but part-time students may complete the program in two semesters and two summer sessions. Credits earned in the certificate may be applied toward an associate degree in a variety of majors, and there is also a career ladder for students who wish to earn a bachelor's degree in health science or health education or a master's degree in public health.

Credit Hours: 20.5

Curriculum:

Requirements
Introduction to Community Health Work- 1 unit
Outreach Techniques and Strategies- 3 units
Community Health Experience- 3 units
Health Issues and Resources- 3 units
Health Team/Outreach Experience- 3 units
Community Health Education- 3 units
Health Choices- 3 units
Computer Basics for Community Health Work- 1.5 units

Contact:
Janet Fisk
1501 Mendocino Avenue
Santa Rosa, California 05401
Telephone: 527-4836
E-mail: jfisk@floyd.santarosa.edu

Institution: Seattle Central Community College; Seattle, Washington

Program: Community Health Advocate Certificate

Program Overview: Students who complete this certificate are prepared for employment in health care settings where they will act as advocates and sources of information and referral for members of the community. Students may take courses, work toward the certificate or complete a degree in social and human services.

Credit Hours: 22

Admission: Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED and be eligible for English 101 and Math 084 based on state assessment tests.

Curriculum: A grade of C or better is required in all courses.

Human Services Core
Interviewing and Counseling- 5 credits
Field Placement- 3 credits
Human Services Workshops (Job Readiness)- 1 credit

Related Instruction
Composition- 5 credits
Intercultural Communication- 5 credits

Community Health Advocate Specialization Course
Community Health Advocacy- 3 credits

Contact:

Community Health Advocate Program
Health and Human Services Division
Seattle Central Community College
1701 Broadway, Room BE3210
Seattle, WA 98122
Telephone: 206.587.6900
TDD: 206.344.4395

Institution: Sinclair Community College; Dayton, Ohio

Program: Community Health Advocate Training Program, certificate

Program Overview: The program is a component of the Center for Healthy Communities, whose mission is to improve health status in the community, educate health professionals and act as a catalyst of change. Individuals enrolled in the program are trained to link citizens with community resources, communicate community needs to providers, and promote community involvement in disease prevention and health promotion. Training includes a classroom component as well as community-based experiences. Community and agency groups serve a dual purpose in the program, acting as instructors and educators to the trainees as well as to their own group or agency, which they educate about the community health workers. Trainees must pass three application tests as well as a comprehensive final test and evaluation of their work in the community.

Credit Hours: 4 hours

Admission: High school graduates and those with a GED are eligible for admission.

Curriculum: Topics addressed in the ten-week, 120-hour certificate program include

Advocacy
Community assessment
Communication and conflict management
Documentation
Health
Community resources

Contact:

Marilyn Rodney, R.N., M.S.
Director, Division of Community Health Advocacy
Wright State University Kettering Center
140 East Monument Avenue
Dayton, Ohio 45402
Telephone: 513.873.1114
Fax: 513.873.1135
E-mail: Marilyn.Rodney@sinclair.edu

Institution: Springfield College and Comprehensive Health Education Center; Boston, Massachusetts

Program: Comprehensive Outreach Education Certificate Program (COEC Program)

Program Overview: The 3 credit hour COEC program was developed by the Comprehensive Health Education Center of Boston, Mass., with the intent of providing standardized training for outreach workers. COEC utilizes Friere's popular education methodology as the basis for training and is therefore able to capitalize on the knowledge and experience of participants. Piloted in 1992, the program was revised in 1994 and is regularly updated based on the evaluation of participants and input from regional advisory boards that review the curriculum annually. Through a 15-session/52-hour training, community health workers develop expertise in eight core public health areas and seven health modules. Training focuses on health issues specific to the Boston, Mass., area and also focuses on skill development for cross-cultural work. Outcomes include the ability to conduct educational sessions, provide information and referrals, and utilize culturally appropriate language and traditions in one’s practice as a community health worker. The Boston Public Health Commission, upon successful completion of the program, awards the COEC certificate.

Credit Hours: 3

Eligibility: All participants must be in a paid community health worker position and working a minimum of 20 hours weekly. Community health workers who are employed by a community health center or a community-based organization are given priority in the admission process. Community health workers who are interested in only the health modules and not the certificate may enroll in any health module if they have at least one year of experience in neighborhood-based work.

Curriculum: Part I of the training focuses on the development of core public health skills in the following areas: introduction to outreach education, leadership skills, assessment techniques, cross-cultural competence, outreach education, public health, and community organizing. Part II of the training provides information and referral resources on specific health topics that affect residents of the Boston area. A module on emergency care is required for those who are not certified in CPR/Basic Life Support.

Six other modules are chosen from the following:
1. adolescent health
2. chronic disease
3. domestic violence
4. family planning
5. sexually transmitted diseases
6. women and addiction
7. childhood health
8. access issues in health care
9. human sexuality
10. HIV/AIDS
11. substance abuse
12. women’s health
13. tobacco control
14. elder health
15. men’s health
16. family support
17. midlife women’s issues
18. perinatal/infant mortality
19. mental health
20. breast cancer

Contact:

Fernando Miranda, Director
Community Health Education Center (CHEC)
35 North Hampton Street
5th Floor
Boston, MA
Telephone: 617.534.5181
Fax: 617.534.5485
E-mail: Fernando_Miranda@bphc.org