Professional Development Resources​

Overview

The following resources are being provided as potential options for Community Health Workers to access free or low-cost professional development opportunities for certificate renewal and continued learning.

Note: Neither the Department nor the CHW Program has reviewed or evaluated the content.  

Upcoming CHW Training Opportunities:  April - June

​​Community Health Worker Train the Trainer Opportunity:  HIV, STI, Viral Hepatitis and Drug User Health​​​

Together Elevating and Advancing Commu​nity Health (TEACH)​​ is a specialty train the trainer curriculum open to community health workers (CHWs) in Maryland on HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), viral hepatitis, and drug user health. These free train the trainer trainings include six (6) online learning modules and a two (2) day virtual or in person training. These trainings qualify towards the 20 hours of professional development required for CHW certificate renewal.​ Click here to learn more about and register for a virtual or in person Train the Trainer training!​


Organizations with Free Professional Development Options​

CDC Learning Connection

Access to thousands of free training opportunities. Sign-up for a free account and save a customized search to receive email updates when new training opportunities that match your criteria become available. Some training and resources are available in additional languages. 


Center of Excellence on LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity

Through training, coaching, and technical assistance the Center provides behavioral health practitioners with vital information to address disparities affecting LGBTQ+ people across all stages of life.

Community Health Collaborative

Free continuing education modules and links to additional free continuing education.

Community Health Worker Advocacy Training
A free mobile course designed by CHWs, for CHWs. CHWs will learn skills to effectively share their stories and advocate for the health issues most important to their communities. All of the resources are available in English, Spanish & French.

HRSA Training and Technical Assistance Hub

The HRSA (Health Resources & Services Administration) Hub centralizes training and technical assistance resources. The resources are organized by topic. Some training and resources are available in additional languages.


Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI)

IPHI develops multi-sector partnerships and innovative solutions to improve the public's health and well-being across the DMV.


Maryland Behavioral Health Integration in Pediatric Primary Care (BHIPP)

BHIPP provides in-person and web-based training and educational opportunities.


Mental Health America

Accessible webinar event calendar. MHA’s programs and initiatives fulfill its mission of promoting mental health and preventing mental illness through advocacy, education, research, and services. 


Mental Health Association of Maryland

Webinars and courses help individuals improve their understanding of mental health, learn how to recognize symptoms, identify community resources, and link people to treatment.


NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Webinars designed for community health workers. Find information on adult learning principles to motivate behavior change and enhance heart health. Some training and resources are available in Spanish. 


Pathfinders for Autism

Lists free educational events and interactive workshops. 


PHPA Website:  MDH Diabetes “Find a Class”

Lists over 30 classes and workshops related to diabetes for the public.  


Population Health Leadership Series - Thomas Jefferson University

The Population Health Leadership Series (PHLS) offers live face-to-face and virtual educational programs that can be customized to meet the unique needs of healthcare professionals.


Public Health Learning Navigator

National Network of Public Health Institutes includes the Public Health Learning Navigator as a resource to access free peer-reviewed online learning opportunities. 


SAMHSA Practitioner Training & Technical Assistance

SAMHSA’s (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) practitioner training portal offers tools, training, and technical assistance to practitioners in mental health and substance us​e disorders.


Texas A&M University Center for Community Health and ​Aging

​This certified Community Health Worker Program in Texas offers free online education to Community Health Workers in English and Spanish on a variety of health topics to enhance population health.​​


Virtual Dementia Capability Training

This resource is made available by the Maryland Department of Aging. The training consists of eight short modules that may be viewed at your convenience. 


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- Topic Specific Options

Emergency Preparedness & Response - Training & Education

Health Literacy Training

Healthy Schools - Training & Professional Development

Healthy Water - Training & Education

Immunization - Training & Education

Opioid Overdose - Training Series

Public Health 101 - Training Series

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) - Training

Violence Prevention - Tools & Training


COVID-19 Professional Development Webinar Opportunities

Webinar: COVID-19 Conversations

Cost:  Free

Length:  1 hour

Sponsor: American Public Health Association & National Academy of Medicine 


Webinar: What you need to know about coronavirus (COVID-19) and the role of community health workers (CHWs) in the community

Cost:  Free

Length:  1 hour

Sponsor: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Webinar: Working with Refugee, Immigrant, and Migrant Communities in COVID-19

Cost:  Free

Length:  1 hour

Sponsor: National Resource Center for Immigrant, Refugees, and Migrants


Health Literacy & Health Equity Webinar Opportunities

Webinar: Collaborating to address health inequities in underserved communities

Cost: Free

Length: 1 hour

Sponsor: Quest Diagnostics


Webinar: Community Health Workers' Role in Advancing Equity

Cost: Free 

Length: 60 mins

Sponsor: University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute


Webinar: Effective Communication for Healthcare Teams: Addressing Health Literacy, Limited English Proficiency and Cultural Differences

Cost:  Free

Length:  1 hour

Sponsor: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Webinar: Enhancing the healthcare experience with a digital platform approach

Cost: Free

Length: 1 hour

Sponsor: Modern Healthcare (Anthem)


Webinar: Fundamentals of Communicating Health Risks

Cost:  Free

Length:  1 hour

Sponsor: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Webinar: Health Literacy for Public Health Professionals

Cost:  Free

Length:  1 hour

Sponsor: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Webinar: Maryland Medicaid Check-In 2023

Cost:  Free

Length:  1 hour

Sponsor: Office of Health Care Financing, Maryland Department of Health



Additional Public Health Webinar Opportunities

Webinar: A Strategic Imperative: Effective solutions to addressing burnout

Cost: Free

Length: 1 hour

Sponsor: ModernHealthcare


Webinar: How to bring smart health experiences to life

Cost: Free

Length: 1 hour

Sponsor: Ernst & Young Global 


Webinar: How to build a patient feedback program that works

Cost: Free

Length: 1 hour

Sponsor: Podium


Webinar:  Introduction to the CLAS Standards

Cost:  Free

Length:  1 hour

Sponsor: University of North Texas


Newsletters and Publications of Interest

Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI)

National Association of CHWs

Office of Minority Health Resources

SHIP Health Action Newsletter


Additional Organization Website Resources

American Cancer Society

American Diabetes Association

American Heart Association

American Hospital Association

American Lung Association

American Public Health Association

CDC CHW Toolkit

National Association of Community Health Workers (NACHW)

Public Health Professionals Gateway

Rural Health Information Hub