Community Health Worker (CHW) Training Institute

The AHEC Promotores of South Texas Training Program is certified by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) as a certified Community Health Worker (CHW) Training program. The program was developed to train CHWs/Promotores to help bridge the healthcare gap for our rural and underserved communities with an overarching goal of a healthier community. The program is head quartered at the South Coastal AHEC and is directed by Belinda Flores.

Opportunities offered include: 160-hour CHW Certification course and CE programming tailored to meet the needs of the community. The program is available in 26 counties serviced by Southwest Border AHEC, LRGV AHEC and South Coastal AHEC.

Upon graduation from the CHW Certification Program, certified community health workers have worked in a variety of settings including:

• Health promotion projects
• County health departments
• Hospitals and clinics
• Non-profit organizations

For more information, contact Belinda Flores by email at FloresB3@uthscsa.edu.

 

Project ECHO Brain Health for Community Health Workers
Launched in 2022, Project ECHO Brain Health for Community Health Workers (CHWs) is an 8-session program conducted via video conferencing with session lengths ranging from 1.5 – 2 hours each, once per week. Created by researchers, healthcare providers, and CHWs, the curriculum is designed to promote brain health, discuss risk factors for dementia, address challenges experienced by persons living with dementia and their families, advocate for family-centered care, identify resources, and address barriers to participation in research. For questions regarding this program, please complete this interest form to be added to an invitation for upcoming sessions: https://redcap.link/jktbqnx5

 

Testimonials

“Receiving my CHW certification and trainings has given me the confidence to advocate for my community.”~ Carmen Acosta, CHW, LRGV AHEC

“For my first time taking the CHW training, I did not know what to expect, in fact I was a bit nervous. As the instructors started, my nerves calmed down as I was tuned into the information they were giving us. The whole training was not what I expected, I came out more well informed on a topic I had just heard about. Day 1 was a cinch, and felt as if we were done in no time.” ~ Amy De La Garza, Southwest Border AHEC

I just want to say that my experience with the CHW course I took was great. The information and materials that were provided and the knowledge of the instructor as well as the enthusiasm made me want to become the best CHW I could be. I appreciate how we could all come together and share our experiences as well as getting great advice from our instructor as to how to be a great CHW. By taking this course it has helped me take this knowledge and advance in my current job as a CHW. I highly recommend for people to take the CHW course and if possible have the same instructor as I did to receive the best advice to further their career. ~ Marcie Wright-Stejskal, South Coastal AHEC