Certification of Outreach Workers
In 1997 Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness (FCDHW) organized a 16 member Outreach Task Force to discuss programs with outreach workers, human services workers and counselors providing preventive services to decrease duplication. The goal of the Outreach Task Foce was to develop and implement a culturally competent, community-based multidisciplinary certification training to enhance the Outreach Workers professional skills and abilities.
Based on results from a survey administtered to Outreach Workers (ORWs) in 1999, FCDHW prepared training modules (80 hrs.) for ORWs on the following topics to address federal and state policies and procedures on programs available to clients: Perinatal Case Management, Health Check Case Management, Parent Infant Intervention Program, Presumptive Eligibility and Family Planning. After approval fromFCDHW Director a 120 hour cross training course was developed for ORWs of FCDHW.
ORWs/CHWs act as liaisons between communities and the health and social service systems by: ensuring consumer compliance with medical treatment, promoting healthy children and families, promoting healthy communities and increase health education for individuals and communities.
San Francisco State University and Atlanta Technical College provided technical assistance on the curriculum. Atlanta Technical College submitted a certification proposal to Georgia's Board of Regents. The board approved the Technical Certificate of Credit to start Summer Quarter 2000.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in the session will be abel to: 1. Develop a survey to assess the training needs of staff. 2. Develop a curriculum to address the needs of staff training. 3. Identify community parteners. 4. Implement an effective training program.
Keywords: Community Outreach, Public Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.