Community Health Worker Training: Planning, Tools, and Action Points

This presentation will focus on the initial orientation and training of management staff and Community Health Workers (CHWs) as well as key strategies for on-going capacity building and support.  During the session, MHP Salud will be using Popular Education methods to train participants.  These same techniques can be replicated while training CHWs. Popular Education is a very effective method for building the skills of Community Health Workers.  Focusing on participatory activities allows participants to learn from each others experiences as well as using real life experiences from the community they serve or from common challenges confronted in CHW programs.  Proper orientation and training for both managers and CHWs is important for a successful program.  However, on-going training and support is necessary so that managers continue to learn and address issues and challenges that arise during the course of program implementation.  Initial training components will be discussed during the session, as well as suggestions of on-going training topics and other capacity building opportunities to enhance the work of CHWs.  

By the end of the course participants will have designed their own “training toolbox” and developed a training action plan that will aid them in implementing initial and ongoing capacity building with program managers and CHWs.