Certified Community Health Worker (CCHW) Training

Serve your clients and the community by becoming a Certified Community Health Worker

Healthways Alliance Inc (HA) is an approved vendor of the Certified Community Health Worker (CCHW) Training for the Indiana Community Health Worker Association (INCHWA). Participants in the CHW training will obtain their certification by engaging in self-study modules, reading sections of the Foundations for Community Health Workers book, reviewing, and discussing videos, completing quizzes, engaging in weekly online chats and two-hour virtual review sessions. They will complete a community project and present it at the end of the training using skills taught. They will also take a certification exam after completing all course sessions and coursework.

Training Dates

Evening Training

January 13 - February 24, 2027

March 10 - April 28, 2027

May 12 - June 23, 2027

July 7 - August 18, 2027

September 1 - October 13, 2027

October 27 - December 15, 2027

 

Day Training

January 15 - February 19, 2027

March 12 - April 23, 2027

May 14 - June 18, 2027

July 9 - August 13, 2027

September 3 - October 8, 2027

October 29 - December 10, 2027


The last date to register for the training sessions is 10 days prior to the class starting (unless otherwise noted).

This training is designed as a self-paced learning experience combined with a mandatory two-hour virtual session. Participants are expected to complete all assigned self-study materials prior to the virtual meeting to ensure full understanding and active participation. During the live session, participants should be prepared to engage in discussions, ask questions, and share insights from their self-study. Virtual sessions are offered on Wednesday evenings starting at 7:00 p.m. Eastern / 6:00 p.m. Central or Friday mornings starting at 10:00 a.m. Eastern / 9:00 a.m. Central.

Participants must choose either the day or evening cohort during registration and remain in that cohort for the entire course. Switching between cohorts is not permitted, and make-up sessions are not available, so please plan accordingly. Please join the virtual meeting on time, with your camera and microphone ready, and plan to stay for the full duration. Completion of both the self-study and virtual session is required to receive credit for the training.

For more information email cchw@hvusa.org

Register

What is a Community Health Worker?

“A community health worker is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the worker to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery.

A community health worker also builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support and advocacy."

American Public Health Association’s definition of CHWs

Who should attend?

  • Individuals who wish to pursue a career as a Certified Community Health Worker and enter the healthcare and social service arena.
  • Providers of healthcare who wish to certify staff as Community Health Workers increasing access to health services, support clients in managing chronic disease, and decreasing hospital readmissions.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Must have at least a high school diploma or GED
  • Must complete all required documents:
    • Application
    • CHW Participant Screening Questionnaire
    • Participant Consent/Agreement
    • CHW Training Participant Affidavit (to be completed by Employer)

The Certified Community Health Worker Course consists of five sections, comprised of more than twenty-two modules and is estimated to take at least 45-hours to complete. This course prepares the student for the certification exam.

To be certified in the State of Indiana, participants must successfully complete the following MANDATORY requirements:

  • A virtual 2-hour orientation
  • Five self-study sessions
  • Five 2-hour virtual reviews
  • Development of an Individual Community Project
  • Successfully complete final exam with 85% passing score
 
Fees

  • $1,200 course fee includes the instruction materials (online student manual and e-text book), registration, examination and 1-year Indiana Community Health Workers Association membership

Topics Include:

  • Defining Roles, Advocacy and Cultural Sensitivity
  • Professionalism
  • Introduction to Public Health
  • CCHW Core Competencies
  • Communication Skills
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Customer service in health care
  • Goal setting with Clients
  • Confidentiality and HIPPA
  • Fundamentals of Leadership
  • Conflict Resolution Skills
  • Client-Centered Counseling for Behavior Change
  • Stress Management
  • Working with Groups and communities
  • Emergency Preparedness

The CHW can be found in various settings of community healthcare and is known by many titles:

  • Community Health Educator
  • Health Advocate
  • Home Visitor
  • Mental Health Worker
  • Navigator
  • Peer Advisor
  • Promotor(a) de Salud
  • And Others...

Technology Requirement:

  1. Reliable Computer - Since this training is online, computers, laptops, tablets, or phones with these features can be utilized. However, printing capabilities from the equipment is required
  2. Internet, WIFI or hot spot to access online manual
  3. Reader Software –E-book link and app will be provided
  4. Web-camera, speakers and microphone
  5. Microsoft Word or word processing program software to help create documents required in some of the student activities or assignments
  6. Printer and printer paper

CANCELLATION POLICY

  • If Participant cancels at least 10 business days prior to training a $25 processing fee will be charged, and remaining training fees will be refunded. If Participant cancels after the 10-business day cut-off then a credit voucher will be issued for a future training and must be used within one year.
  • Healthways Alliance retains the right to cancel a scheduled session in the event of low participation numbers. If Healthways Alliance cancels the scheduled class, participants will be notified 10 business days prior to the first class and will have the option to either be issued a full refund or to attend an upcoming class.
  • Attendance policy: In the event a participant is unable to attend one of the virtual review sessions due to significant illness, personal instances of distress or emergency, religious observances, or required court and/or legal appearances, they must submit a request in writing to be excused from that week’s virtual review session. Approval will be considered on a case by case basis and be communicated to the participant. Participants may miss only one weekly virtual review session; more than one absence will necessitate participant withdrawing from the training class and rescheduling attendance for one of the upcoming classes within the same calendar year. It is the participants responsibility to notify their employer of any missed classes and/or withdrawal from class.

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