Course Offerings
MA RWTN offers trainings that explore and expand community health work to align with unique needs and interests
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Exploration and Preparation for Community Health Work
Trainings for anyone interested in exploring community health work as a new career
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Community Health Worker Core Training Course
The Community Health Worker core competency training course approved by MA Board of Certification of Community Health Workers
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Courses that expand community health worker knowledge and training
Those who are interested in expanding their scope, interests and certifications within the community health worker field.
You can sign up for this free opportunity if you are simply curious in learning more or trying a class in community health work! These trainings are for anyone interested in a career change or who may want to see if this field is right for them.
Exploration and Preparation Trainings in Community Health Work
Course Offerings
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Description: Embark on a journey of discovery in our Health and Human Services Career Exploration class! Your class will consider an array of professions dedicated to improving human well-being. In addition to learning about the role and responsibilities of becoming a Certified Community Health Worker (CHW), you will explore the various paths to making a meaningful impact in your career. Join us to uncover your passion and potential in this dynamic field.
Format: Virtual livestreamed
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Description: Explore what "soft" skills are required to work in the area of Health and Human Services. Dive into the exploration of using our empathetic skills to work with others and collaborate, building relationships, and using critical thinking skills to support the very emotionally challenging work of Human Services. Learn how to navigate problem solving and make informed decisions while in a position to make a difference in someone's life. This course endeavors to show you if you have the heart to participate in this field and offers you a perspective to never look at work in the Human Services field the same way again.
Format: Virtual livestreamed
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Highlights:
Open Enrollment
Virtual
For English Language Learners – at your own pace.
Description: Engen is a personalized, career-aligned, mobile—first English learning platform that connects speakers of other languages with English skills and career pathways in health care and beyond. English proficiency can catalyze careers for health workers who are learning English, particularly individuals who have medical training and clinical experience from other countries and face barriers to re-licensing in the U.S.
This training includes the following modules:
English for Digital Literacy - In this course, you will learn how to use a computer. You will learn the basics of computer hardware, operating systems, and software. You will learn to use email and navigate the internet safely.
Beginner Business skills, Phone calls, Meetings, and Presentations - In this course, you will learn useful phrases and words for speaking more formal situations at work. You will hear examples of people making phone calls, leading and participating in meetings, and giving presentations.
Introduction to behavioral healthcare - In this course, you will learn about the basics of behavioral healthcare. You will learn about factors that impact people's health, from mental health disorders to substance abuse to life stressors. You will also learn about the importance of counseling and therapy as one way to improve overall health.
English for cross-cultural training - In this course, you will gain cultural awareness by reflecting on your own culture and broadening your understanding of global cultural differences. The intercultural skills developed in this course will help you navigate both verbal and non-verbal communication, manage a complex teams, engage in business, and much more.
English for mental health and well-being - In this course, you will learn about basic concepts in mental health and explore how to improve your own sense of well-being.
Format: Courses can be accessed online or via the app.
Time Commitment: Participants are expected to study approximately 2-3 hours per week over 3 months.
Interested?
Interested?
Community Health Worker Course
Overview of the Community Health Worker Course
The Community Health Worker (CHW) training program aligns with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s 10 core competencies for CHWs. These trainings are for anyone interested in completing the core competency CHW program. within the community health worker field.
This training is approved by the MA Board Certification for CHWs, but separate entity from MA’s CHW certification application. After completing the course, students can consider applying for the Massachusetts Community Health Worker Certification, which is an approved certification through the Massachusetts Board of Certification of Community Health Workers.
Please see below for a further overview.
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Overview of the Community Health Worker Course
The Community Health Worker (CHW) training program aligns with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s 10 core competencies for CHWs. The Community Health Worker course provides rigorous training for public health workers to serve as advocates and liaisons between different populations and health/social service providers. This program benefits anyone interested in exploring educational and career pathways in community health, human services, healthcare or public health. Students undertake a comprehensive study of the various components and functions of community health work, practicing skills totaling 80 hours of instruction.
Skills developed: The program focuses on ten core competencies for community health work identified by the Massachusetts Board of Certification of Community Health Workers: (1) outreach methods and strategies, (2) individual and community assessment, (3) effective communication, (4) cultural responsiveness and mediation, (5) education to promote healthy behavior change, (6) care coordination and system navigation, (7) use of public health concepts and approaches, (8) advocacy and community capacity building, (9) documentation, and (10) professional skills and conduct.
An experienced trainer who is licensed as a Massachusetts Community Health Worker will deliver the majority of the CHW program. This trainer will be assisted by an additional trainer in the Health and Human Services field.
This training is approved by the MA Board Certification for CHWs, but separate entity from the CHW certification application. After completing the course, students can consider applying for the Massachusetts Community Health Worker Certification, which is an approved certification through the Massachusetts Board of Certification of Community Health Workers. This certification requires a successful completion of Board-approved Massachusetts Community Health Work Certification Course by a Board-approved program (80 hours), in addition to 2,000 hours of field work experience (paid or volunteer) and other required document submissions.
For more information and CHW Board certification requirements, please visit the Mass.gov page on MA CHW Certification
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Description: The Community Health Worker program provides rigorous training for public health workers to serve as advocates and liaisons between different populations and health/social service providers. This program benefits anyone interested in exploring educational and career pathways in community health, human services, healthcare or public health.
Skills developed: The program focuses on ten core competencies for community health work identified by the Massachusetts Board of Certification of Community Health Workers: (1) outreach methods and strategies, (2) individual and community assessment, (3) effective communication, (4) cultural responsiveness and mediation, (5) education to promote healthy behavior change, (6) care coordination and system navigation, (7) use of public health concepts and approaches, (8) advocacy and community capacity building, (9) documentation, and (10) professional skills and conduct.
Delivery mode: Hybrid – Classes alternate in person and online every other week.
Questions?
Contact Erin Lenski at erin@newenglandrha.org
You can sign up for this free opportunity if you are working working in health/human services field and interested in gaining knowledge, experience, credits, or certifications! These trainings are for anyone interested in expanding their scope, interests and certifications within the community health worker field.
Interested?
Courses that expand community health worker knowledge and training
Course Offerings
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Description: Are you struggling to manage the stress in your life? Do you wish you were more resilient? We understand that the work you do with clients, customers, and patients impacts your stress level and can affect your ability to be resilient. Join us for this zoom workshop, become more present and effective, and enhance your personal and professional wellbeing. We will explore, learn, and practice strategies and techniques to manage stress, identify and reframe thought traps, increase resilience, and thrive! We will begin with a self-assessment, review data and trends, and develop a practical and manageable plan that can be incorporated into your daily life. This positive step-by-step approach will promote growth and each participant will leave with resources and a personal and professional wellbeing plan.
Participants will learn:
Stress basics: physiological effects of stress, the stress cycle, sources and triggers of stress
Positive coping strategies to manage stress
Definition of thought traps
How to reframe thought traps
Definition of resilience
Strategies to thrive and build resilience
Articulate a personal definition of thriving
Format: Virtual Livestream
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Description: Case Management is a health care process that recognizes the complexity of supporting a patient or client in optimizing not only healthcare but also one’s quality of life. The case management model offers both a philosophical and skills-based approach that can enhance the efforts of community health workers (CHWs). As “change agents,” CHWs draw from case management principles and skills to build strong relationships, enhance motivation and readiness for change, and strengthen multi-disciplinary communication.
This training series pairs Case Management foundational knowledge with other theoretical models addressing common challenges encountered in the field. The Stages of Change model, Motivational Interviewing, and a Trauma-Informed Approach are incorporated throughout the training series. Course material will be combined with a variety of interactive exercises that support skill development.
Format: In-person for Berkshire county residents. All others will participate via zoom.
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Description: This noncredit course provides Community Health Workers (CHWs) and other frontline professionals with a foundational understanding of how documentation connects to billing, coding, and reimbursement in outpatient and community-based settings. Participants will explore how person-centered documentation supports quality care, compliance, and accurate service capture. The course introduces the revenue cycle, ICD-10-CM and CPT/HCPCS coding concepts, and the principles of medical necessity and denial prevention. Interactive discussion, case studies, and question-and-answer segments are built into each session to promote engagement and real-world application.
Format: Synchronous remote instruction via Zoom
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Healthy Choices on a Budget: A Practical Guide to Nutrition for Community Health Workers is a three-session, in-person, hands-on course designed to strengthen the nutrition knowledge and practical skills CHWs and other professionals need to support the health of the communities they serve. Through group discussions, cooking demonstrations, and food-tasting activities, participants learn to apply the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, use MyPlate and Nutrition Facts labels, and practice safe food handling. The course also explores selecting nutritious fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; planning balanced meals on a limited budget; understanding hunger and fullness cues; and adopting mindful, nurturing eating habits. CHWs leave better equipped to model healthy behaviors, provide basic nutrition guidance, and empower families and clients to make informed, affordable food choices, including navigating food budgeting and assistance programs to maximize access to nutritious foods.
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Description: Mental Health First Aid is a training program designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to provide initial support to someone experiencing a mental health crisis or struggling with mental health challenges. Similar to traditional first aid training for physical health emergencies, Mental Health First Aid teaches participants how to recognize common mental health disorders, respond effectively to someone in distress, and connect them with appropriate professional help and resources.
Participants learn about various mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse disorders, psychosis, and suicidal ideation, among others. The training also covers topics such as active listening, empathy, and de-escalation techniques. By increasing awareness and understanding of mental health issues, Mental Health First Aid aims to promote early intervention, and ultimately improve outcomes for individuals experiencing mental health crises.
Upon completion of the program, participants are better equipped to recognize signs of mental distress, provide immediate assistance, and guide individuals toward appropriate professional support. Mental Health First Aid training is valuable for anyone interested in supporting the mental well-being of their community, including teachers, healthcare professionals, first responders, employers, and members of the general public.
Students may choose to complete Adult MHFA in April or Youth MHFA in May depending on the population they work with most often.
Format: In-person
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Description: Mental Health First Aid is a training program designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to provide initial support to someone experiencing a mental health crisis or struggling with mental health challenges. Similar to traditional first aid training for physical health emergencies, Mental Health First Aid teaches participants how to recognize common mental health disorders, respond effectively to someone in distress, and connect them with appropriate professional help and resources.
Participants learn about various mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse disorders, psychosis, and suicidal ideation, among others. The training also covers topics such as active listening, empathy, and de-escalation techniques. By increasing awareness and understanding of mental health issues, Mental Health First Aid aims to promote early intervention, and ultimately improve outcomes for individuals experiencing mental health crises.
Upon completion of the program, participants are better equipped to recognize signs of mental distress, provide immediate assistance, and guide individuals toward appropriate professional support. Mental Health First Aid training is valuable for anyone interested in supporting the mental well-being of their community, including teachers, healthcare professionals, first responders, employers, and members of the general public.
Students may choose to complete Adult MHFA or Youth MHFA depending on the population they work with most often.
Format: In-person (Location TBD)
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Description: Rural communities face significant challenges in accessing mental healthcare. Mental Health First Aid for Rural Communities allows adults to acknowledge and begin to address those disparities, as well as identify the many unique strengths that come from living in a community of supportive neighbors, friends and families
Skills developed: The unique impact of mental health challenges on adults in rural communities. Risk factors and protective factors specific to rural communities. Applying Mental Health First Aid action plan in scenarios that reflect the rural community members unique needs and experiences. National, regional and community mental health resources for rural communities.
Delivery mode: In-Person (Berkshire Community College)
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Description: It is important to emphasize the importance of occupational safety and health (OSH) as an essential health topic relevant to community health work. Many workers approach MassCOSH every year with concerns about unsafe working conditions. Many of them are unaware of the laws and government programs that exist to protect them.
Community health centers and community health workers are often the first resource that injured, low-income workers turn to for care of work-related problems. Even those workers who supposedly have access to occupational health services are reluctant to use them for fear of retaliation by their employer.
This training focuses on the basics of occupational safety and health to assist workers who are injured or made ill at their place of employment, or who may recognize a workplace hazard, but are unaware of their health/safety rights. Focusing on identifying hazards in a workplace, worker rights and resources and helping workers take action.
Instructor: Rick Rabin from the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health (MassCOSH)
Delivery mode: Virtual livestreamed
Length: 3 hours
CEUs available: Successful participants are able to apply for Continuing Education Units.
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Description Coming Soon
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Description: This course aims to provide participants information, knowledge, and skills to appropriately provide support to those who have experienced trauma. Time will be spent exploring trauma theory, attachment theory and neuroscience associated with reactions to traumatic experiences. Strategies will also be taught to engage in trauma-informed care.
Delivery mode: Virtual (Cape Cod Community College)