CHW Specialized Trainings
The CHW Specialized Trainings are designed to build on foundational Community Health Worker knowledge and skills, offering deeper learning in focused areas of practice. These trainings support CHWs in strengthening their ability to respond to complex needs using person-centered, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed approaches.
These specialized trainings are intended for Community Health Workers who have already completed foundational CHW training or hold a CHW certificate and are looking to expand their skills in maternal health or mental health support.
Maternal Health Training for CHWs
The Maternal Health Training for CHWs focuses on supporting pregnant and postpartum individuals across the perinatal period. CHWs learn how to promote healthy behaviors, support informed decision-making, and respond to common pregnancy and postpartum concerns using culturally responsive and trauma-informed approaches.
Topics include:
- Trauma-informed communication and trust-building
- Preparing for birth and planning postpartum care
- Pregnancy and postpartum complications
- Postpartum mental health, breastfeeding, and contraception
- Infant safety and family education
- Coordination of services and referral support
- Iowa-specific maternal health resources
This training prepares CHWs to support individuals and families with education, navigation, and connection to care—while staying within the CHW scope of practice.
This training is entirely asynchronous (on demand). Those completing will earn a CHW maternal health specialization certificate.
Length of training:
- For most learners, the course should take about 6 hours to complete
- Iowa learners have a bit more state-specific information to review and can expect to spend about 7 hours to complete the course
Mental Health Training for CHWs
The Mental Health Training for CHWs equips CHWs with practical tools to support individuals experiencing mental health challenges through respectful, community-based care. The training emphasizes role clarity, safety, and person-centered support rather than diagnosis or clinical treatment.
Topics include:
- Recognizing common mental health conditions
- Crisis identification and response, including suicidal ideation, panic attacks, and severe disorientation
- De-escalation strategies and supportive communication
- Trauma-informed care and person-centered responsiveness
- Problem Management Plus (PM+) techniques
- Mental Health First Aid principles
- Supporting youth and families
- Self-care and resilience for CHWs
- Navigating the mental health system and making referrals
- Understanding Iowa’s mental health system redesign
CHWs gain confidence in recognizing when someone is in crisis, responding calmly and appropriately, and connecting individuals to the right level of care.
This training is entirely asynchronous (on demand). Those completing will earn a CHW mental health specialization certificate.
Length of training:
- For most learners, the course should take about 4.5 hours to complete
- Iowa learners have a bit more state-specific information to review and can expect to spend about 5 hours to complete the course
Certificate, Cost, and Continuing Education Credits
Participants who complete either training will earn a Certificate of Completion from HealthTeamWorks.
These trainings are free of charge and were made possible through a grant partnership with Iowa Total Care.
Maternal Health for Community Health Workers is eligible for a maximum of 6 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM. This activity was planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Interstate Postgraduate Medical Association and HealthTeamWorks.
Mental Health for Community Health Workers is eligible for a maximum of 4.5 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM. This activity was planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Interstate Postgraduate Medical Association and HealthTeamWorks.
Apply Now
Interested CHWs can apply: