Training and Certification Program

Description

Gateway Community Health Center, Inc. (Gateway) has been a certified training center since 2004. To date, over 100 training courses have been provided throughout the state and the country. Contracting agencies include: TMF Health Quality Institute, HEB Wellness Services, Florida’s Medicare Quality Improvement Organization (FMQAI), the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for Florida; National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute; Texas Diabetes Program at the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS); Community HealthCare Center in Savannah Georgia; Pan American Health Organization; and Pfizer, Inc.

Gateway’s Promotor(a) or Community Health Worker Training and Certification Program provides leadership to enhance standards and administrative rules for the Promotor(a) or Community Health Worker (CHW). Gateway’s Life Skills Training Course is certified by the DSHS. The 160-hour course includes the eight competencies required by DSHS for certification.

The Life Skills training curriculum includes modules on the following competency areas as required:

1. Communication Skills: Listening; using language confidently, and appropriately. Topics: The Art of Communication and Effective Communication. Participants will have the opportunity to learn the art of communication by practicing attentive listening for content and comprehension

2. Interpersonal Skills: Counseling, relationship-building, and ability to work as part of a team. Topics: Self-respect and Respect for Others, Nurturing Self Concepts and the Four A’s (attention, acceptance, appreciation, and affection). Participants will have the opportunity to learn the process of understanding the importance of self-respect and respect for others in the development of interpersonal skills

3. Service Coordination: Ability to identify and access resources. Topics: Referral, Follow-up, and Resources. Participants will learn reliable techniques to help the client access necessary resources and become a liaison between organizations and specific groups/agencies

4. Capacity Building Skills: Ability to identify problems and resources to help clients solve problems themselves, learn about leadership, and learn to guide and motivate clients. Topics: Recognizing Strengths, and the Importance of Partnerships. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the value of each person’s strengths and the importance of empowerment

5. Advocacy Skills: Ability to advocate for individuals or the community at-large and to resist intimidation. Topics: Understanding Advocacy Behavior; Cause/ Situation Management; and Process to form advocacy groups. Participants will receive training skills necessary to promote/advocate in the best interest of the people

6. Teaching Skills: Ability to share information on a one-to-one basis; understand information; plan and direct classes; and collect and use information from the community. Topics: Teach and Coach, Creating Learning, and Speaking to Groups. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the four adult learning styles, and self-motivated techniques to improve their teaching skills

7. Organizational Skills: Ability to set goals and plan; and prioritize and manage time. Topics: How to Design a Work Plan, Time Management, and Prioritizing Process. Participants will receive training on organizing work activities and will be given an opportunity to develop a work plan

8. Knowledge Base: Topics for this session include: Diabetes Self-Management; Weight Management; Cardiovascular Disease Prevention; and Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention. This 20-hour course will include training on one of these topics.

 

Continuing Education for CHWs

Gateway provides continuing education training throughout the year. CHWs are required to have a minimum of 20 hrs. of continuing education per year. Ten of the required hours may be on general education provided by a non-certified site, and ten must be from a certified institution.

 

General Training Courses

• Life Skills (Abbreviated version from the 160-hour session.)
• Diabetes Self-Management
• Weight Management Program—C.L.A.P.S. (Changing Lifestyles to Accomplish Powerful Skills)
• “My Health and Me” (Prevention of Chronic Diseases)
• “A Life with Hope” (Prevention of Breast and Cervical Cancer)

 

For more information call:

Lourdes Rangel
Director of Special Projects

1515 Pappas Street
Laredo, TX 78041

Tel: (956) 523-3644
Fax: (956) 795-8137
Email: Lulur.gateway@tachc.org

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