Build a Training Program

A participant playing the role of health systems lends a helping hand at a community health worker training exercise

Is your organization looking to build or strengthen its own community health worker (CHW) training program? The Community Partnerships & Capacity Building program can offer support and share their training curriculum. Email chw.partnership@multco.us to learn more.

We Are Health: Training for Community Health Workers

80-hour, foundational training follows national training standards for community health workers, and Oregon Health Authority guidance for certification. It reflects over 30 years of working with community health workers worldwide. It has 3 components:

  • Skill base
  • Orientation to the health and social service system
  • Health issues

In English. Last updated in 2022.


Black people in a small group discussion at a community health worker training.

Training Opportunities

These trainings are occasionally offered by the Health Department to help community health workers build their skills. Traditional health workers in Oregon may earn CEUs. Contact the organizer for a schedule.

Community Health Worker Supervisor’s Training

Enhance your capacity to supervise community health workers. You’ll learn:

  • Basics of the CHW model
  • The role of popular education
  • Supervision models
  • Qualities and skills of an effective CHW supervisor
  • To apply trauma-informed supervision to support
  • Practicing self-care

Qualifies for 6 CEUs. In English.

Contact: Community Partnerships & Capacity Building Program, chw.partnership@multco.us

Understanding Violence as a Public Health Issue

Community health workers gaze down at the results of a brainstorm at a training session.

A 2-day training, offered in-person or virtual. Recommended for CHWs and open to anyone who works with those affected by violence.

Learn public health approaches to violence prevention, identify root causes of violence and ways to address them. We’ll also cover self-care techniques. Qualifies for 8 CEUs. In English.

Contact: Community & Adolescent Health, cahinfo@multco.us

Tobacco Cessation

This 3-hour training for traditional health workers focuses on the main driver of poor health–commercial tobacco use. You’ll learn and practice:

  • How the tobacco industry created lifetime addictions to nicotine
  • To consider the voices of those who use commercial tobacco and those who want to quit
  • Motivational interviewing
  • The GOOD coaching model
  • Relationships and systems that influence behavior
  • How to help people quit

Qualifies for 3 CEUs. In English.

Contact: Terresa White, terresa.white@multco.us

Know Your River, Know Your Food

This workshop covers the contamination and cleanup of the Willamette River in Portland. Learn about how eating contaminated seafood impacts health, and have a chance to tour the river. Qualifies for 6 CEUs.

Contact: Beth Appert, beth.appert@multco.us

Community Health Worker Certification

We no longer provide community health worker foundational training. If your organization is interested in training CHWs, please contact us at chw.partnership@multco.us

Traditional health worker training programs in Oregon»


More Information

Community Partnerships & Capacity Building Program
Beth Poteet, 503-314-3136
chw.partnership@multco.us