Community Health Worker: Children and Families

The Community Health Worker(CHW): Children and Families Certificate trains students to serve a critical role in the community by supporting mental and physical health for children and families. Students completing the certificate will be qualified to provide appropriate health education and information to help children and families get the mental and physical healthcare they need. Students will be equipped with a community resource file and strategies to provide informal counseling and guidance for children and families. They will also be trained to perform basic health care procedures and to advocate for health needs of their clients.

Community health workers are critical advocates for the health needs of community members, helping to reduce health disparities in under served communities. They conduct outreach to engage community members, assist with health system navigation, and improve healthcare coordination. A Community Health Worker with emphasis in Children and Families will learn to incorporate a child’s developmental level and unique needs when creating an action plan and resource file. They will recognize and adapt to cultural and individual family needs. They will identify community resources and strategies that support and provide guidance for children and families. They will be trained to perform basic health assessments and documentation to report findings to health educators and other healthcare providers. And, they will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to maintaining a healthful environment for children and families.

On successful completion of theCommunity Health Worker: Children and Families Certificate of Achievement, thestudents should be able to:

1. Demonstrate the ability to deliver basic components of safe, effective healthcare and screening tests for children and families.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of ethics and confidentiality including techniques of communication and mandated reporting process and protocols.
3. Critically evaluate, research, and analyze sources of health information that promote a health for children and families.
4. Identify community resources and strategies that support children and families while creating an action plan to confront aggression, bullying, child abuse, and neglect.