Build the Skills to Make a Greater Impact as a Community Health Worker
CHW Professional Skills Training
CHW Professional Skills Training
Community Health Workers (CHWs) play a vital role in bridging clinical care and community needs – improving access, building trust, and addressing social determinants of health. HealthTeamWorks’ CHW Professional Skills Training equips both new and experienced CHWs, as well as other frontline professionals, with practical, real-world skills to support patients and strengthen communities.
Informed by real-world experience in primary care and community settings, this flexible, online program goes beyond theory focusing on real-world application, peer learning, and tools you can use immediately in your work.
Everything You Need to Build Your Skills and Make an Impact
What You’ll Gain
- A strong foundation in the role of Community Health Workers, public health, and health policy
- Skills to promote health equity and address social determinants of health
- Tools to provide culturally responsive, client-centered care
- Confidence in building trust, conducting effective client interviews, and supporting behavior changeÂ
- Approaches to care management, care coordination and effective home visiting
- Techniques for conflict resolution, stress management, and professional resilience
- Knowledge to support individuals with chronic conditions and healthy lifestyle changes
- Skills to navigate community resources and apply trauma-informed approaches
What’s Included
- 5 self-paced, online courses covering core CHW competencies
- 4 live, interactive virtual learning sessions with expert facilitators, including:
 – Small-group breakout discussions and peer learning
 – Real-world scenarios and applied skill practice, including Motivational Interviewing
 – Opportunities to ask questions, reflect, and deepen understanding - Tools and strategies for working with community resources and addressing SDOH
- Assignments and activities to reinforce learning
- Certificate of completion + Continuing Education (CEU) opportunities
“I absolutely loved this course and training. I enjoy working with the community, and this course really helped me learn other ways to help those that I’m interacting with. The live sessions were fantastic, and having the opportunity to talk with others is so valuable. I feel more confident in my skills and abilities to do what I can to help make a difference in the community.”Â
– Past Participant
CE Information
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Interstate Postgraduate Medical Association and HealthTeamWorks. The IPMA is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Interstate Postgraduate Medical Association designates this other activity (enduring, webinars, and coaching sessions) for a maximum of 45.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
IPMA is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, provider number 6971, for 45.0 contact hours. Each person should retain this certificate for four years after the course has been completed.
Registration Fee
-
Individual Registration $988.00
The pricing includes access to the online learning portal, downloadable resource and reference materials, and four trainer-led virtual live sessions to support interactive learning and discussion.
CHW Specialized Trainings
The CHW Specialized Trainings are designed to build on foundational Community Health Worker knowledge and skills, offering deeper learning in focused areas of practice. These trainings support CHWs in strengthening their ability to respond to complex needs using person-centered, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed approaches.
These asynchronous trainings are intended for Community Health Workers who have already completed foundational CHW training or hold a CHW certificate and are looking to expand their skills in maternal or mental health support.
Participants who complete either training will earn a Certificate of Completion from HealthTeamWorks. These trainings are free of charge and made possible through a grant partnership with Iowa Total Care.
Maternal Health Training for Community Health Workers
The Maternal Health Training for CHWs equips CHWs with practical tools to support pregnant and postpartum individuals. The training emphasizes healthy behaviors, informed decision-making, and addressing common concerns using culturally responsive and trauma-informed approaches.
Topics include:
- Trauma-informed communication and trust-building
- Preparing for birth and planning for postpartum care
- Supporting informed decision-making during pregnancy and postpartum
- Pregnancy complications and warning signs
- Postpartum recovery and common health concerns
- Postpartum mental health, breastfeeding, and contraception
- Infant safety, family education, and promoting healthy early development
- Coordination of services, referrals, and Iowa-specific maternal health resources
This training prepares CHWs to support individuals and families with education, navigation, and connection to care—while staying within the CHW scope of practice.
Length of training:
- For most learners, the course should take about 6 hours to complete
- Iowa learners have a bit more state-specific information to review and can expect to spend about 7 hours to complete the course
CE Information:
The Maternal Health for the Community Health Worker  Training is eligible for a maximum of 6 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM. This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Interstate Postgraduate Medical Association and HealthTeamWorks.
Mental Health Training for Community Health Workers
The Mental Health Training for CHWs equips CHWs with practical tools to support individuals experiencing mental health challenges through respectful, community-based care. The training emphasizes role clarity, safety, and person-centered support rather than diagnosis or clinical treatment.
Topics include:
- Recognizing common mental health conditions and supporting youth and families
- Crisis identification and response (e.g., suicidal ideation, panic attacks, severe disorientation)
- De-escalation strategies and supportive communication
- Trauma-informed care and person-centered responsiveness
- Problem Management Plus (PM+) techniques and Mental Health First Aid principles
- Navigating the mental health system, including Iowa’s system redesign
- Self-care and resilience for CHWs
CHWs gain confidence in recognizing when someone is in crisis, responding calmly and appropriately, and connecting individuals to the right level of care.
Length of training:
- For most learners, the course should take about 4.5 hours to complete
- Iowa learners have a bit more state-specific information to review and can expect to spend about 5 hours to complete the course
CE Information:
The Mental Health for the Community Health Worker  Training is eligible for a maximum of 4.5 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM. This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Interstate Postgraduate Medical Association and HealthTeamWorks.
Learn More
To learn more about CHW Professional Skills Training or CHW Registered Apprenticeship, contact us at [email protected].
For unique opportunities for Iowa residents, please visit communityhealthworker.org
