CHW Core Skills Training Program

Are you:

Early (under 5 years) in your CHW Career or interested in starting a CHW Career?
Dedicated to the health of your community and want to help?
Interested in learning more about how to be a leader and support your community’s wellbeing?

We want YOU! Join us for the CHW Core Skills Training Program.

You will learn these skills: Interpersonal and Relationship Building, Service Coordination and Navigation, Communication, Group Facilitation, Capacity Building, Outreach and Education, Individual and Community Assessment, Professional Skills and Conduct, and a strong CHW Knowledge base.

This program is an online training you do at your own pace and on your own time. Approximate time commitment to complete the course is 90 hours spread out over 3 months. Estimated commitment per week is 10-15 hours.

Dates for new classes start throughout the calendar year (approximately every 4-5 months).
- The next course will begin on August 12, 2024 and run through November 10, 2024
- Applications are now open and will close at 5pm on July 26, 2024.
- To apply, please fill out this online form. You will receive an email on or before August 6th regarding your enrollment status.
- Please note: Bi-weekly check-ins with your facilitator are required for this course. They will be held on Monday evenings from 6-8pm. You must commit to these check-ins to be accepted into the course.

In addition to taking this course through the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, there are several host sites that also offer our Core Skills curriculum. The certificate you receive is the same. You can contact these organizations for starting dates and class availability:

Southern Utah University - link coming soon.
AUCH - Association for Utah Community Health https://www.auch.org/
Utah Refugee Training Education Center - Phone: 801-618-5096; Email: [email protected]
Utah State University - Moab extension https://statewide.usu.edu/news/2021/moab/2021-06-16-moab-community-healthcare
Additional host sites to be added soon.

CHW Exemption Based on Experience (formerly the Grandfathering Option)

CHWs who meet the eligibility criteria below are eligible to apply for exemption to the Utah CHW Core Skills Training Certificate:

Have at least 5 years of CHW paid or volunteer experience;
Proficient in and practice of the Community Health Worker Core Competencies and Skills and;
Complete the Utah CHW Core Skills Exemption application or Spanish application available
Personal Reference Support Application completed by your reference person.

Exemption applications will be reviewed quarterly and if you meet all of the requirements to be exempt, you will be notified via email and your certificate will be emailed to you.

If there are any problems with your application, you will be notified by the email listed on your application. Please ensure the entire application is filled out to the best of your ability. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact Rachel Black [email protected].

What is CHW state certification?

CHW state certification was established by a bill (R380-350. Community Health Worker Certification). This bill provides the state certification and outlines certification requirements.

As you consider becoming a state certified CHW, please review the requirements here. State certification is completely voluntary; it is not required to work as a CHW in Utah. Some employers, however, may require state certification to work as a CHW in their organization. To apply, please visit this page

What do I do if I have questions?

Contact: Rachel Black [email protected]