City College of San Francisco
Health Education Department
The Community Health Worker
(CHW) Program
Orientation Agenda
1. Who are CHWs
2. Job Opportunities
3. The CCSF CHW Program
4. The Training Curriculum
5. Testimonies from CHW Students
6. How to Apply to the Program
7. Costs and Expenses
8. Question and Answer
Who are Community Health Workers?
The American Public Health Association definition of CHWs:
“A CHW is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member
of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community
served. This trusting relationship enables the CHW to serve as a
liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to
facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service
delivery. A CHW also builds individual and community capacity by
increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of
activities such as outreach, community education, informal
counseling, social support and advocacy.” (APHA, 2009)
Federal Department of Labor (DOL)
Occupational Classification
The Department of Labor estimates a 25% growth rate for
CHW between 2012-2022.
In 2010, the federal government established a new and separate
occupational category for CHWs.
History
CHWs have been working in a formal capacity in the United
States since the 1950s, under more than 60 job titles such as:
 Outreach Worker
 Health Educator
 Patient Navigator
 Community Organizer
 Case Manager
 Peer Educator/Specialist
 Promotor(a)
 Community Health
Representative
 Public Health Aide
 Health Ambassador
Where Do CHW Work?
CHWs work for a wide variety of public and
private sector employer including:
 Local Health Departments
 Hospitals and clinics (health care)
 Community-Based Non-profit agencies
Expanding Opportunities
in Primary Health Care
Recent health care reforms, such as the Affordable Care Act
(or Obamacare) have expanded opportunities for CHWs such as:
 Working as members of primary health care teams in
health-care settings
 Providing outreach, education and case management services to
low-income patients and those living with
chronic health
conditions
 Supporting clients to manage chronic diseases (diabetes,
hypertension, HIV, etc.)
What do CHWs do?
CHWs provide a wide range of services on the job,
such as providing:
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Outreach to educate and recruit clients
Health education
Case management services
Health coaching or counseling
Chronic disease management
Educational, social or support groups
Community organizing and Advocacy
CHWs In ACTION
The CCSF CHW Program
 Established in 1994
 First college-based CHW Program in the nation
 Students earn a state-recognized certificate while
earning college credits
 Certified over 700 CHWs
 Developed nation’s first textbook for training CHWs
 Partners with over 25 local employers and public
health experts
Partnerships with local Public Health
& Health Care Agencies & Professionals
The CCSF CHW Program partners with local agencies and experts in
several key ways:
 Recruiting Students & Faculty
 Providing guidance and input regarding the
curriculum and program policies
 Hosting internships that offer opportunites for
additional training and on-the-job practice
 Adminstering the final Performance-Based Exam
 Hiring graduates
Three Different Certificate Options
1) The CHW Certificate
– 20 Units
2) The Post Prison Health Worker Certificate – 21 Units
3) The Youth Worker Certificate
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– 22 Units
All three Certificates share:
14-units of core courses (HLTH 201, 202 & 203)
The same application process
The same 128-hour internship requirement
The same Performance-Based Exam (PBE)
The CHW Certificate
Prepares students for a wide variety of jobs and requires:
 20 Units of study (including HLTH 201,202 & 203)
 Completion of a 128 hour internship
 HLTH 64: Health Education & Prevention (3 units)
 HLTH 97: Health & Stress in Society (3 units)
 May be completed in 2 or more semesters
The Post Prison Health Worker Certificate
Prepares students to work with incarcerated and formerly
incarcerated clients and communities, and requires:
 21 Units of study (including HLTH 201,202 & 203)
 Successful completion of a 128 hour internship serving
incarcerated or formerly incarcerated clients
 HLTH 110: Health Impacts of Incarceration (3 units)
 HLTH 66: Chronic Conditions Management (3 units)
 HLTH 116: Conflict Resolution Skills (1 unit)
 May be completed in 2 or more semesters
The Youth Worker Certificate
Prepares students to work with youth and young adults,
and requires:
 22 Units of study (including HLTH 201,202 & 203)
 Completion of a 128 hour internship with a youth serving agenc
 HLTH 65: Youth Development & Leadership (3 units)
 CDEV 67: The Child, Family & the Community (3 units)
 HLTH 116: Conflict Resolution Skills (1 unit)
 Choice of 1 Unit Diversity & Social Justice Class
 May be completed in 2 or more semesters
LUCIANA’S STORY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FS9leOmwACk
CHW PROGRAM FEATURES
Performance Based Training Program
 Students demonstrate competency in 4 core areas at a level
of
proficiency set by employers and veteran CHWs
 Performance exams in the second semester are based on real-life services
and must be passed in order to receive the CHW certificate
 Internship Program in the second semester – 128 hours or 8
hours a
week.
Reality Based Education
 Classes and internships are lead by diverse teaching teams in the
community
 We emphasize active learning, and participation—especially
plays with lots of real life scenarios.
Partnership with Employers
Curriculum and performance exams are designed with employer
to ensure real life situations and solutions.
role
input
FOUNDATIONS
FOR CHWS
TEXTBOOK
 A book developed by City College Faculty, graduates from the
CHW Program, and other experts in the field
Includes dozens of videos demonstrating key CHW skills
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?
Core Competency Areas
Cultural Humility; Client-Centered interviewing/intake
skills;
Documentation and referral skills, Health advising
and counseling; Case Management / coordination; Community
organizing and advocacy, and more!
Topics
Including public health and social justice to immigration
and group work.
Professional skill development
Resume writing, job interviewing skills, team-work, and
portfolio development
Public Speaking and Group Facilitation Skills
CHW SKILLS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wHwNAnhC1Y
HOW WE TEACH CLASSES
Class sessions are taught using a variety of methods, including:
* Outside speakers
* Videos
* Exercises
* Small group work
* Class discussions
* Case studies
* Role-plays
* Workshops
* Student Presentations * Lectures
CHW RON SANDERS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePDOB5OtjzM
THE INTERNSHIP - 128 HOURS All students must negotiate a contract with a local employer
to complete a 128 hour internship as they take HLTH 203
 Complements classroom instruction with on-the-job
training and practice
 Students must receive a satisfactory evaluation from
their internship supervisor in order to earn their
certificate
 Instructors help students to find internships
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Attendance and Participation
 Class attendance and participation is required of all students.
 Points are assigned at each class and are cumulative
 Students are expected to demonstrate respect and
professionalism throughout their training
Absences
To pass required courses, students may not miss
more than 3 classes.
After three (3) absences (regardless of reason), students
can be dropped from the class, in accordance with the
CHW program policy.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Tardiness
 It is also very important, and part of the CHW
professional program training, to come to class on
time and stay for the entire class.
 Points will be deducted (only half credit given per class)
for repetitive tardiness and leaving early.
 Three episodes of tardiness or leaving early will be
counted as one absence.
Internship
128 hours of service are required the following semester
SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE CHW
PROGRAM REQUIRES
• A strong desire to promote the health of low-income and at-risk
communities
• Self-knowledge (or your strengths and area for growth)
• Strong time-management skills
• Coming to every class prepared to participate
• Keeping up with reading assignments
• Turning in homework on deadline
• Ability to work respectfully with diverse colleagues
• A strong support network (family & friends)
• Being in recovery (clean & sober) for at least one year
PROGRAM COST AND EXPENSES
• Tuition is set by the California State Legislature
• Currently: $46.00 per Unit
• Tuition is waived for very low-income students
• Additional $17.00 Student Health Fee, $3.00 one time/semester
Web4 user fee, $1.00 Student Rep. Fee
• Text Books: $75-120 (Main textbook is available free through the
textbook loan program)
HOW TO APPLY TO THE
CHW PROGRAM
Applications are online at www.ccsf.edu/CHW
Hard copies are also available at the Health Education Department
in MUB 353 on the Ocean Campus, and at the Southeast Campus
on 1800 Oakdale Avenue
No Interviews are required. Students who are not accepted must
apply again for future admission
HOW TO APPLY TO CITY COLLEGE
PART II – CCSF ADMISSIONS
Students must also complete the Application for Admissions to City
College of San Francisco. You must be a registered CCSF student
to be able to register for CHW classes.
You can apply online at www.ccsf.edu
APPLICATION CHECK-LIST
For General Applicants
1. Complete HLTH 59 with a grade of “C” or better
2. Signed and completed CHW Application
3. Personal Statement (Essay)
For students currently working or volunteering as CHWs
(for at least 50% time for 12 months in the past 2 years)
1. HLTH 59 Waiver, Signed
2. Signed Recommendation from CHW Supervisor
3. Signed and completed CHW Application
4. Personal Statement (Essay)
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
 Applications for the Fall 2016 Cohort are due between
April 11 – April 20
 Completed applications can be hand delivered to Health
Education Department, Ocean Campus, MUB 353
 Mail to Alma Avila, c/o CHW program, CCSF- MUB 353,
50 Phelan Av. SF, 94112 (post mark by the due date)
 Notices will be sent out by May 13. See the online CCSF
schedule to learn when classes will begin
 www.ccsf.edu/schedule