Key Learning Objectives

  • Recognize the history, the core values and the essence of the key role CHWs play in underserved communities and understand the landscape of the CHW workforce and the integration efforts and routes throughout the US.

  • Describe community health models and the roles, responsibilities and skills of a CHW, and their role in improving community health in the landscape affected by social determinants of health, structural racism and inequality.

  • Apply the tenets of The JJ WayⓇ methodology to the role of CHW, offering trauma-informed care with a lens of reproductive justice.

Course Description

This 12-week comprehensive program provides community health worker skills and competencies with a special focus on perinatal health. Participants will be prepared to provide life-saving education and support to childbearing parents and families, as well as play a significant role as part of the maternal health care professional in a variety of work settings. This course focuses on understanding racism in existing healthcare delivery systems, inequities in health outcomes and modeling strong community collaborations to establish perinatal networks that address needs in marginalized communities. 


As ‘perinatal practitioner extenders’ with a firm foundation in maternal child health (MCH), our CHW’s are trained to work in a variety of settings including private practices, birth centers, hospitals, clinics, community settings and homes, building and modeling strong collaborations to establish perinatal networks. 


Course topics include: 

  • Community Health Worker foundations

  • Maternal & infant health outcomes in the US

  • Centering the birthing person in service delivery and education

  • Empowering communities and transforming maternal care in the US

  • Building support networks and culturally responsive resources

  • Understanding professional responsibility and consent

  • Understanding basic healthcare skills


Tennille Lott, RN, CHW

Instructor | Curriculum Development

Certified Community Health Worker (CCHW) credential

Upon completion of this course, students will be granted certification through Commonsense Childbirth Institute as a Certified Community Health Worker (CCHW) and may also obtain a Community Health Worker certification from the State of Florida via Florida Certification Board. https://flcertificationboard.org/.

Students in other states should check with their State certification and licensure boards about becoming certified. This certification may lead to employment in Maternal Child Health, or in being eligible to bill independently for services under the CPT and HCPCS coding system for perinatal healthcare services.

Find Out More About Certification

Sign Up Today

This comprehensive course will give participants the tools to provide life-saving education and support.

Enroll now in the next cohort!