Community Health Worker Training

Community Health Workers (CHWs) play a critical role in the health of their communities, linking diverse and underserved populations to health and social service systems. Based on their life experiences and roles as health influencers within their communities, CHWs work to reduce social and racial disparities in health care. CHWs can improve health outcomes and the quality of care while achieving significant cost savings.

CHWs have been a valuable resource statewide during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The Community Health Worker Coalition for Migrants and Refugees distributed 54,000 face masks to the children of migrants and refugees.
• CHWs have assisted with contact tracing, food distribution, care coordination, and education about COVID-19 to communities statewide.

We offer a free training program to help CHWs strengthen their skills and health specific modules.

Register for the CHW Training Program

COVID-19 Resources for CHWs

Several resources are available for CHWs and all community-based health workers including:

• Department of Health Novel Coronavirus Outbreak (COVID-19)
• Washington State Community Health Workers Association (WACHWA) FAQs
• COVID-19 Resources for CHWs (PDF)

CHW Training Program

We offer a no-cost 10-week core competency training program designed to strengthen the skills, knowledge, and abilities of community health workers. This training is offered quarterly online. Anyone who completes the core competency program can enroll in FREE Continuing Education Health Specific Modules (HSMs). Graduates may register for 3 courses per quarter. See the HSM training schedule (PDF) for details.

• 2023 Core Competency Training & Health Specific Modules Schedule (PDF)
• Training Registration and Course Log in (Healthy Communities Washington)
• Master Syllabus (PDF)
• Course Objectives (PDF)
• Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
• Training Program Evaluation Report (PDF)
• Regional CHW Training Program Data (PDF)
• Letter to Employer (PDF)
• Participant Training Manual (PDF)

CHW Leadership Committee

DOH is actively working to form a Community Health Worker Leadership Committee that will support the implementation of recommendations to improve CHW training and strengthen the CHW workforce. The CHW Leadership Committee builds on the work of the 2019 CHW Task Force.

CHW Task Force

• 2019 Report on CHW Training & Education Executive Summary (PDF)
• Full Task Force Report (PDF)

Get Involved With CHWs Across Our State

Washington’s CHW community is growing! There are now several local CHW networks across our state as well as statewide and national associations.

Local CHW Networks

• Community Health Worker Collaborative of Pierce County
• Eastern Washington Community Health Worker Network
• King County Promotores Network
• Southwest Community Health Advocates and Peer Support Network
• Whatcom Community Health Worker Network

Statewide and National CHW Networks

• Washington Community Health Worker Association (WACHWA)
• Community Health Worker Coalition for Migrants and Refugees 
• National Association of Community Health Workers

Contact

Questions? Email us at chwts@doh.wa.gov.