The Promotor(a) or Community Health Worker Training and Certification Program provides leadership to enhance the development and implementation of statewide training and certification standards and administrative rules for the Promotor(a) or Community Health Worker (CHW) Training and Certification Program.
Senate Bill 1051 (77th Texas Legislative Sessions) calls for the Texas Department of State Health Services to establish and operate a training and certification program for persons who act as promotores or community health workers, instructors and sponsoring institutions/training programs.
For more information, please contact the Community Health Worker Training and Certification Program in the Office of Title V and Family Health at 512-776-2208 or 512-776-3860 or via email at chw@dshs.state.tx.us.
04/18/2012 - Community Health Worker Conference
Exciting News! DSHS has one-time funding for a statewide Community Health Worker conference this summer.
Conference Name: Community Health Workers Across Texas – Working Together for Healthy Texas Babies
Primary audience: Community health workers who are currently certified in Texas. Registration will be opened up to others after an initial period based on space availability.
Conference theme: Healthy Texas Babies.
Date: August 6-8, 2012.
Location: San Marcos TX
Scholarships: There will be a limited number of scholarships for currently certified community health workers. Scholarships will cover the majority of registration fees and hotel and travel costs for those not living near San Marcos.
Continuing Education: The conference will offer DSHS-certified and non-DSHS certified CEUs for community health workers.
DSHS is just beginning the planning for this event. Please help us by letting us know if you might be interested in attending and by providing us feedback by responding to a brief online survey. Go to Community-Health-Worker-Conference-Survey.questionpro.com
Your response to this survey will help us in planning a great conference and opportunity for networking for certified community health workers in Texas!
Registration is not yet open. An announcement will be sent out when registration opens.
Call for Presentations and Posters - Deadline for Proposal Submission: Friday May 11, 2012. Submit completed proposal form to TitleV@dshs.state.tx.us. For questions, please call 512-776-7373.
12/23/2011 – Health and Safety Code, Chapter 48, was amended through HB2610, 82nd Legislature, Regular Session. Amended rules for the Community Health Worker Training and Certification Program to comply with changes in Chapter 48 were published in the Texas Register on December 23, 2011. See updated rules at Rules and Legislation. HB2610 includes a DSHS study, in coordination with HHSC, and recommendations related to: maximizing employment of and access to promotores and community health workers to provide publicly and privately funded health care services; and identifying methods of funding and reimbursement, including outline of costs to the state. The study is currently being conducted and a report and recommendations will be submitted to the Texas Legislature by December 1, 2012.
HB 2610 Community Health Worker Study (16KB, .DOC, Viewing Information)
HB 2610 Final Enrolled Version (65KB, .PDF, Viewing Information)
11-1-2011 - Healthy Texas Babies: What Communities Need to Know to Reduce Infant Mortality training materials and curriculum
04-11-2011 - Talking Points – Key facts and current certification information for the Promotor(a) or Community Health Worker Training and Certification Program
Advisory Committee Meetings and Conference Calls - Agendas and Minutes - A comprehensive list of current and prior meetings or conference calls
Advisory Committee Membership and Nominations - Current advisory committee membership and information, please click here.
Requirements for Certification and Renewal – Quick reference to requirements for certification as a Promotor(a) or Community Health Worker, Instructor, or Training Program/Sponsoring Organization.
Certification and Renewal Applications - Download an application in English or Spanish to apply for certification or renewal as a promotor(a) or community health worker or instructor. Download an application in English to apply for certification or renewal as a training program/sponsoring organization to provide certification training or continuing education for promotores(as) or community health workers and/or instructors. Applications have been revised to reflect new changes as of October 24, 2010.
Training Programs and Continuing Education Information -Check here for contact information for certified training programs approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to provide certification training or continuing education for promotores(as) or community health workers and/or instructors and for announcements of upcoming training opportunities.
Program Workforce Information - Annual Reports and data on location of Promotores/Community Health Workers by county
Rules and Legislation - Administrative Rules concerning training and certification and legislation related to the program includes amended rules effective 12-31-2011.
Complaint Procedure – Provides information for filing a complaint with the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) if an individual or a representative of an organization feels that a community health worker, instructor, or training program has violated Chapter 48, Texas Health and Safety Code or 25 Texas Administrative Code, §§146.1-146.12.
Articles and Research Material - Publications and Web citations that serve as resource material for promotores, community health workers, instructors and training programs
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