Training
We currently offer four training programs and have additional programs in development.
| Trainings | Description | Estimated Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Start Training | Fundamental skills and qualifications, quick start | 30 |
| Core Competency Training | Fundamental skills and qualifications, in depth | 160 |
| CHW Lab | Hands-on real-world skill practice and demonstration | 25 |
| Medical Interpreter | In depth practice, procedures, and vocabulary | 40 |
| Behavioral Health Training* | Fundamental skills in behavioral health, substance abuse disorder, and community health work | 48 |
| Supervisor Basic | Management, workflow, and support for small scale | 8 |
| Supervisor Advanced | Management, workflow, and support for large scale | 25 |
| Organization | Broad introduction on function, role, and relationships | 4 |
| Custom Org Development | Developed to fit your current organization’s initiatives | Custom |
| Specialized | Developed for specified topic areas building skills | Variable |
* Community Behavioral Health Worker training is currently integrated into the Community Health Worker Core Competency Training and is not yet available as a standalone course. Standalone training offerings are anticipated in the future.
Course Descriptions
Core Competency Training
The Kansas CHW Core Competency Training provides comprehensive preparation for individuals entering the CHW workforce. The program consists of 100 hours of lecture and 60 hours of service learning, ensuring participants gain both theoretical knowledge and applied experience. Training is delivered fully synchronous and incorporates pragmatic components, role-playing opportunities, discussions, and interactive methods to reinforce learning. CHWs will be able to attend virtually and receive a service learning handbook to guide their applied work. Through partnerships with the Kansas CHW Coalition and Kansas State University Research and Extension, a team of instructors teaches the course. Participants may also complete the CHW Lab (35 hours), which can count toward their service-learning requirement.
Community Behavioral Health Worker Training
The Kansas Community Behavioral Health Worker (CBHW) Training prepares individuals to support behavioral health and wellness within their communities. Participants develop skills in behavioral health, substance use disorder support, care coordination, advocacy, and community resource navigation through interactive learning activities and real-world application. Training emphasizes person-centered, trauma-informed approaches to supporting individuals and families.
Quick Start Training
The Quick Start CHW Training Program equips learners with the core knowledge and skills needed to confidently enter the field and serve their communities effectively. This comprehensive, fast-track training covers a wide range of core competencies, blending foundational knowledge with practical application to ensure participants are job-ready. This accelerated training combines interactive lectures, case studies, role-playing exercises, and real-world scenarios to prepare participants for the complexities of the CHW role.
CHW Supervisor Development
The CHW Supervisor Training is a multi-day program designed to prepare supervisors with the leadership, management, and coaching skills needed to guide CHW teams effectively. Organized across six sessions, the training covers expectations of supervisors, readiness assessments, managing vs. leading, and a review of CHW Core Competencies. Participants also explore supervisory roles and tasks, including hiring, onboarding, performance tracking, and team building. Sessions address communication, providing feedback, conflict management, team morale, burnout prevention, implicit bias, and self-awareness. The program blends interactive discussions, role-plays, case scenarios, and multimedia resources, allowing participants to practice supervisory techniques in real-world contexts.
Medical Interpreter
Our 40-Hour Medical Interpreter Training for Community Health Workers (CHWs) is offered in collaboration with the KU Department of Family Medicine & Community Health and Cross-Cultural Communications.
This nationally recognized certificate program is designed specifically for bilingual Community Health Workers (CHWs) who provide interpretation as part of their day-to-day work. Delivered in partnership with Cross-Cultural Communications (CCC) — the leading interpreter training organization in the U.S. — this course blends professional interpreter training with the unique context of CHW responsibilities.
Tailored to the realities of the CHW role, this training addresses the ethical complexities of serving simultaneously as a health worker and interpreter. Specialized modules explore how to manage these dual responsibilities with integrity, helping CHWs understand when and how to interpret, how to set boundaries and how to remain neutral, impartial and accurate while supporting their clients.
Participants engage in interactive role plays, pragmatic exercises and self-assessments to master the core skills of interpreting, including:
- Positioning in an interpreted session
- Communication protocols and memory techniques
- Ethical decision-making and professional conduct
- Cultural mediation and bias awareness
CHWs will walk away with the confidence and tools needed to deliver high-quality interpretation that supports effective communication, respects professional boundaries, and enhances equitable access to care.
CHW Lab
This Community Health Worker (CHW) Lab training is a hands-on, experiential learning program designed to bridge the gap between core competency training and real-world CHW practice. Developed in response to feedback from CHWs who felt uncertain about how to apply their knowledge after completing Core Competency training, this lab intentionally focuses on building practical skills through structured, scenario-based sessions. Drawing directly from the CHW Lab curriculum, participants engage in activities such as simulated client interviews, care plan development, data-entry practice, referral exercises, and community resource mapping. The training also includes modules on communication strategies, health literacy and professionalism, allowing CHWs to refine interpersonal and systems navigation skills. Whether used as a pre-employment preparation tool or as a refresher for current CHWs, the lab creates a safe, supportive environment for practicing real-life situations through role-playing, coaching, and peer feedback — ultimately building confidence and improving job readiness.
Specialized
Specializations fit the need of the community and/or the organization deploying CHWs. Examples of specialized tracks could include:
- Emergency Room
- School-Based
- Interpreter
- Cancer Care
- Community-Based Services
- Social Media and Campaigns
- Diabetes and Nutrition
- Health Literacy
- Advocacy
- Maternal and Infant
- Navigator
- Case Management
- Research, Interview and Survey
Example Curriculum:
Core Roles & Competencies
Clinical vs. Community Based
Conflict Management Strategies
Conflict Management Exercises
Cultural Diversity
Public Benefits of CHWs
Onboarding
Technologies for Management
Personal Boundaries
Documentation & Data
Assessment & Care Planning
Professional Boundaries
Home Visits & Safety
Health Systems Navigation
Communication: Eliciting & Motivating
Health Literacy & Communication
Goal Setting (SMART Goals)
Work Life Balance
Mandated Reporting
Administrative/Business Technologies
Ethics & Professionalism
What's New
Food is Medicine: CHW Specialized Training
We are developing a CHW-specific training focused on the Food is Medicine movement, equipping CHWs with the knowledge and tools to address food insecurity and chronic disease through nutrition-based interventions. The training covers practical strategies for screening, counseling and connecting clients to local food resources and medically tailored meals. Grounded in cultural relevance and community context, this program empowers CHWs to integrate food access into whole-person care.
Custom Training Consultation
With 20+ years of experience, our CHW team can help your program implement and launch CHWs. Reach out to us to schedule a consultation with our expert team of CHW professionals to get started.