Online Program

LI Course
Oral

Partnership: MHP Salud 800.461.8394 mhpsalud.org 2111 Golfside Dr. Suite 2B Ypsilanti, MI 48197

Statement of Purpose and Institute Overview: The purpose of this course is to assist Community Health Worker (CHW) program managers enhance their leadership skills by demonstrating and analyzing the tools and resources needed to appropriately support CHWs. APHA defines a CHW as a front-line public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. CHWs serve as a liaison between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality/cultural competence of service delivery. With appropriate resources, training and support, CHWs improve the health of their communities by linking their neighbors to health care and social services and by educating their peers about disease prevention and early detection. They work to make services more accessible, mobilizing communities to create positive change. While State and Federal initiatives have moved to professionalize the CHW workforce, supervision and leadership development for CHW program managers remains inadequate. Improved management and supervision is critical for program success. Supervisors of CHW programs can vary from newly-hired Program Coordinators and Directors to Outreach Coordinators and even clinical staff. Regardless of a supervisor’s experience level and title, there are specific components to supervising CHWs that differ from more traditional management positions. Several states, including Minnesota, Texas and Florida, have CHW certification processes that require CHWs to take courses and exams to demonstrate their abilities as a CHW; however, no state regulates or monitors education or experience for CHW supervisors. MHP Salud has provided more than 250 hours of training and technical assistance to CHW supporting organizations over the past two years related to CHW training, support and supervision. Additionally, through MHP Salud’s 30 years of experience implementing CHW programs, we have come to understand the unique skills and considerations required to manage CHW programs successfully. The independence of CHW work in the field, the need for flexible program implementation and the importance of two-way communication to ensure CHWs are serving their communities in the most culturally appropriate way are just a few examples. These managerial considerations mean organizations should seek additional capacity for their program management staff. In this interactive workshop, facilitators from MHP Salud will build on participants’ existing knowledge of what leadership means. The workshop will examine the roles, skills and professional qualities of a CHW program manager and develop participants’ abilities to foster positive leadership within the community-empowerment philosophy of Popular Education.

Session Objectives: Describe fundamental elements of implementation of effective CHW programs Design job descriptions for CHW program staff to incorporate appropriate skills, qualities and educational/experience requirements Identify and understand techniques to enhance the leadership skills of program managers and Community Health Workers through ongoing training, supervision and support

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)