Training Program Information
[TBD - this section will provide information about Training Program Certification & Application Requirements, Instructor Training, Apprenticeship Programs, and Curriculum Requirements]
Training Program Certification: Background & Eligibility
“Training program” is used here as a general term covering different program types. These can be academic (school) or community-based programs, or apprenticeships where much of the learning is on the job.
Why should our organization consider developing a CHW training program?
The state and many health and related organizations in Illinois are working to address health disparities by funding and employing individuals from underserved communities to bridge the gap between communities and health and human service systems. The demand for a strong CHW workforce is expected to grow, creating an exciting new training opportunity for your organization.
What does the CHW Certification Program mean for CHW training programs?
The main pathway to CHW certification is the IDPH-Certification Training Program Pathway. This pathway requires applicants to successfully complete an IDPH-certified CHW training program to be eligible for certification.
Why should our CHW training program become certified?
Both school- and community-based CHW core competency training programs that meet IDPH requirements are eligible to be certified. We encourage training programs to become certified, so their graduates are eligible for CHW certification through the IDPH-certified CHW Training Program Pathway. In Illinois, CHW certification is required for CHW services to be paid for by Medicaid and Medicare.
Is state certification of CHW training programs required in Illinois?
IDPH certification for CHW training programs is not required. However, completing an IDPH-certified CHW training program is the main pathway for CHWs to earn voluntary certification.
Is there a cost to my organization to become a certified CHW training program?
Currently, there is no application fee for the initial training program certification or renewal of certification. The main cost is the time to adapt your program to meet certification requirements, communicate with IDPH, and maintain an updated online profile.
Can other organizations contribute to training CHWs without being a state-certified training program?
Yes. A community-based organization, for example, can partner with an IDPH-certified CHW training program sponsor, like a community college, to offer community-oriented parts of the training and/or field experience without being a sponsor. To ensure this training counts toward certification requirements, the community organization must sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the sponsor. The sponsor will review the training to determine how much credit to apply toward the program, following rules on credit for prior learning.
Is my organization’s CHW training program eligible to apply for certification?
CHW training programs that may apply for certification include academic and community-based programs individually, or in association with an apprenticeship program
Academic training program sponsors include:
Community-based training program sponsors include:
What are the personnel requirements for training program certification in Illinois?
The training program must assign a program administrator responsible for:
The training program lead must assign a program lead (typically referred to as a program coordinator or lead instructor) responsible for:
Before submitting the training program application, the program lead must pass an IDPH-approved CHW instructor course. This course is completed online, is self-paced, and is a total of approximately 20 hours.
The training program must have qualified instructors who meet the requirements listed in Administrative Rule Section 951.710 Instructor Qualifications (Link).
Training Program Leads and Instructor Course Requirements
The program lead for IDPH-certified CHW training programs (the staff who plans, implements, and evaluates the training program) must pass the IDPH-approved CHW Instructor Course before the training program submits its initial application for certification. Other instructors must pass the course within 90 days after their first day of teaching in an IDPH-certified CHW training program.
This 20-hour, online, self-paced course introduces the CHW Certification Program, refreshes the instructor in how best to teach CHW core competencies, and provides strategies for teaching students with lived experience. Program leads and other instructors must complete the course with at least an 80% score for each module.
This course is approved by the Weitzman Institute for 20 continuing education contact hours. You can find the IDPH-approved CHW Instructor Course [here].
Important Note: IDPH does not require instructors to take ongoing continuing education after passing the IDPH-approved CHW Instructor Course. However, instructors who are also certified CHWs (IL CHW-C) must take continuing education credits to renew their CHW certification.
- If the instructor is also a certified CHW and passes the full IDPH-approved CHW Instructor Course, they will earn 20 Category I credits toward continuing education requirements for the current three-year renewal period.
CHW Curriculum
The CHW curriculum must include all IDPH required core competencies, including field experience and a minimum number of hours of instruction.
To successfully carry out the roles of a CHW, there are certain things the CHW should know and be able to do. These are called core competencies. Certified CHW training programs must include all IDPH-required core competencies in their program.
Illinois CHW core competencies:
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1. Communication, Interpersonal Skills, and Relationship Building
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2. Service Coordination and System Navigation
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3. Advocacy and Capacity Building
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4. Professional Skills and Conduct, Including Organizational Skills
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5. Public Health Knowledge: Use of Public Health Concepts and Approaches
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6. Education to Promote Healthy Behavior: Teaching, Presentation, and Facilitation Skills
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7. Human Body Systems and Common Health Conditions, Including Behavioral Health
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8. Individual and Community Assessment
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9. Cultural Awareness and Responsiveness
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10. Application of New Learnings in a Field Setting
You can find details on the CHW core competencies here.
IDPH supported the development of a CHW core competency model curriculum that meets all state requirements. This curriculum may be used in part or in full by training programs or as self-study materials by CHWs. You can find the CHW Core Competency Model Curriculum and Assessment Toolkit here.
IDPH compiled a resource list of organizations offering accredited or other courses. Many of the courses these organizations offer match up with CHW core competencies. You can find the list of organizations and links to their courses here.
Organizations or schools that offer accredited courses must provide documentation in the form of a certificate or letter to CHWs who complete the course. Certified CHWs must upload proof of course completion indicating the number of credits earned.
If your organization offers accredited courses or other professional development opportunities that support CHW core competency development, and you want to be added to the resource list, fill out the request form here.
Minimum hours of instruction
Training programs must offer a minimum of 100 hours of classroom instruction, which can be in-person or virtual. No more than 70% of the classroom instruction can be asynchronous. Time spent on breaks, meals, and any orientation to the program will not be counted toward the 100 hours. Each competency #1-9 must have a minimum of five hours dedicated. The remaining hours may be allotted as the training program deems appropriate.
Field experience
Competency #10 is the Application of New Learnings in a Field Setting. Students must complete a field placement of at least 80 hours, which may be paid or unpaid. The training program sponsor is responsible for overseeing the field experience. You can find detailed requirements on field experience and field experience provider requirements in Administrative Rules Section 951.480 Field Experience here.
Get details about the training program application process and requirements
Learn MoreIf you have questions about CHW training program certification, contact:
University of Illinois - Chicago
ilchwtraining@uic.edu
Phone: TBD
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.