The Community Health Worker Training Program of Tennessee (CHWTPT) is in the final year of a three-year grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in partnership with Vanderbilt University School of Nursing and Rural Health Association of Tennessee. The program’s purpose is to build, support, and sustain a CHW training program and employment pathway for certified CHWs.

We have many milestones to celebrate:

– More than 130 trainees enrolled in the program

– Virtual graduation celebration was held in September

– In-person apprentice graduation celebration took place in November

– Two cohorts completed Advanced Certification Program: one virtual, and one in person

CHWTPT is a competency-based training program that also includes on-the-job learning via either a year-long internship or a field placement. Education is provided through self-paced modules on an online learning platform as well as virtual peer learning sessions led by our Training Coordinators. Topics for our 40 learning modules include Active Listening, Cultural Sensitivity, Health Equity, Trauma-Informed Care, Strengths-Based Approach, Managing Crucial Conversations, Motivational Interviewing and many more.

Our trainees come from throughout the state and work in various settings, such as social service agencies, clinics, hospitals, schools, and health departments. The program certifies CHWs based on training completion and on-the-job skill development, according to standardized competencies.

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The CHW Program Accreditation Program created standards and a review process to ensure CHW programs in Tennessee provide high quality services and support the CHW workforce. In partnership with TennCare, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), and a committee of CHWs and CHW supervisors we:

– Created seven CHW program standards and a review process

– Recruited and trained a review panel to meet with program teams/assess documentation

– Accredited our first four programs in August; will serve more than 14 agencies over three years

Congratulations to our first four accredited programs:  The Family Resilience Initiative and the Social Determinants of Health Hospital Initiative, both of Methodist Le Bonheur Community Outreach in Memphis, and the Comprehensive Care and Rapid Response Community Health Worker Programs of Siloam Health in Nashville.

Agencies must document the policies and procedures that show they meet our seven standards:

Recruitment and Hiring

CHW Scope of Work

Supports for CHWs

CHW Training

CHW Performance Evaluations

CHW Professional & Workforce Development

CHW Supervision

TNCHWA recruited and trained a panel of reviewers to assess all documents, meet with the program team, and assign scores on each of the seven program standards. The first programs piloted the process and were accredited in August 2024. Over the next three years we will work with more than 14 identified agencies, including smaller organizations and larger hospital systems. A second cohort began the process in October 2024 and will complete this spring, and a third cohort will be completed by this fall. Our accreditation Advisory Committee meets regularly to evaluate all aspects of the program.