CHW Continuing Education

Why is Continuing Education Important?

[TBD - define CE and why it is important for this program]

How do I know what counts as continuing education?

Continuing education hours count if they are earned in these categories:  

Category I - Accredited Continuing Education Courses and College Courses 

At least 24 of the required 36 credits during each three-year renewal period MUST be from Category I. For these courses to count toward renewal, they must provide IDPH-approved continuing education units (CEUs) and match up with one or more CHW core competencies.  

Category II - Other Professional Development 

Credit in this category is optional; however, you can earn up to 12 credits in this area during the renewal period. For these courses and activities to count toward renewal, they must match up with one or more CHW core competencies. 

How will continuing education credit be counted?

Category 1 credit is counted like this:

• The accrediting body awards each accredited continuing education course a certain number of credits. This is the number of credits IDPH will count for each course. For example, a two-hour course will likely have two credits (or CEUs) listed on the course certificate
• Each college course has a set number of credits offered by the college. A college course with 15 hours of class time equals 15 continuing education credits. For example:
  • a one-credit college course equals 15 continuing education credits,
  • a two-credit college course equals 30 continuing education credits, and
  • a three-credit college course equals 45 continuing education credits.

Category 2 credit is counted like this:

• Participating in a non-accredited course or education activity (1 credit per hour of instruction).
• Serving as a CHW instructor in an IDPH-certified CHW training program, a multi-session course, or a CHW supervisor for field experience placement (4 credits per course and/or preceptorship). 
• Authoring or co-authoring a CHW-related research publication (3 credits per article).
• Serving as an invited session presenter or poster session at a conference or facilitating a one-session course or workshop (2 credits per presentation). 
• Serving in a leadership position for a CHW organization (2 credits per organization per year).
• Serving on a CHW-related volunteer board or committee (2 credits per board or committee per year).

How can I find Category I continuing education opportunities?

• These are some upcoming courses  developed for CHWs in Illinois that provide Category I continuing education units (CEUs).
• [UIC to highlight annually -- Summits, etc.]   

Category I courses must provide continuing education units (CEUs) or be accredited college or university courses. All Category I courses must match up with one or more CHW core competencies to count as Category I continuing education.  Find the list of the CHW core competencies here

IDPH has developed a resource list of organizations that offer CEU courses for reference. You may also find other CEU courses offered by organizations that are not on the list. If the CEU course matches up with one or more of the CHW competencies, these courses will count for Category I credit.

You can view the resource list with links to recommended organizations that offer CEUs here.  

Notice:

Organizations on the resource list may also offer professional development courses that do NOT provide CEUs and will not count for Category I credit. If these professional development courses match up with one or more CHW competencies, they will count for Category II credit.