Community Health Workers

Application close date is December 22, 2023 and the course starts January 16, 2024. Orientation is on January 11, 2024.

The CHW Bridge to Excellence
The West Texas Area Health Education Center, a certified community health worker (CHW) training institution by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), has recently evolved into The CHW Workforce Development Center. Originally under the auspices of West Texas AHEC and Transforming Communities through Outreach, Recruitment and Education (T-CORE), the new center will offer continuing education units (CEUs) for certified CHWs and intermediate level CHW training such as motivational interviewing, patient navigation, chronic disease management and quality improvement. Additionally, the center will offer training for providers and facilities who seek to employ CHWs and need hiring guides, guides to supervising CHWs, and scope of practice information.

Certification Course
Students must complete a 160-hour competency-based training program as part of the application for certification. Each course covers eight competencies: Communication, Teaching, Interpersonal Skills, Service Coordination, Capacity Building, Advocacy, Organization, and Knowledge Base.

  1. Program is certified by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and provides 160 contact hours towards certification.
  2. Participants will learn the basic eight core competencies of a community health worker and applications of these competencies in a community and healthcare Environment.
  3. CHW's will acquire skills in outreach, patient navigation, follow-up services, community health education, informal counseling, social support, advocacy, and participation in clinical research.
  4. Who can become a CHW?
    1. Everyday people who want to make a difference
    2. Anyone at least 18 years old
  5. Registration Fee
    1. Per Participant: $500.00
    2. Payment options: Full $500 or $100 down by the first day of class and $100 payments until balance is paid.
      Must be paid in full by the last day of class. No refunds will be issued.
    3. Discounts to employers training multiple employees
    4. Click here to make payment.
CHW Bridge to Excellence
To register for the CHW online course click here.

The CHW Online CEU Series in Behavioral Health

Complete the registration form and make payment online
You will receive an email and login information on the first day of the CEU.

  1. Program is certified by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and provides 12 hours of Certified CHW CEUs.
  2. Class is limited to the first 50 who register online at: https://www.westtexasahec.org/CHWOnlineRegistration.html
  3. Cost: $50
  4. Place: Online - At your own pace; available for a 4 month term.

To register for online CEUs please click here.