We need your involvement! Our regional chapters (MACHWitas) are places for community health workers to connect, learn from each, and get extra support from MACHW. There are lots of ways to get involved and develop your professional and leadership skills. Help us build your regional chapter: Northeast, Southeast, Western, Greater Boston, Metro West, or Central. Sign up as a MACHW member and you will automatically receive information on events and activities in your region on a monthly basis. For weekly information and to connect with other CHWs, also join MACHW’s Facebook group.
Learn more about the MA Community Health Workers Code of Ethics.
Invite us to speak to your group.
Help us find other Community Health Workers in your region. MACHW offers a 1-hour workshop to unite CHWs and share resources at your group or workplace. Contact us at Lissette at [email protected] to schedule a workshop.
Come To Our Professional Development Forums
These regional gatherings are a chance for you to discover new community resources, build your skills, share what you know and learn for other community health workers. A Professional Development Forum is a structured 2-hour session for CHWs whose goals are to:
- Foster the shared professional identity for CHWs
- Learn about relevant topics including core competencies, advanced training topics, or receive co-consultation through case reviews
- Encourage and facilitate CHW to CHW referrals.
Employers frequently support CHW professional development by allowing CHWs to attend workshops during work time, so ask your supervisor. Sign up as a MACHW member and you will automatically receive information on events and activities in your region.
Attend Our Annual Conference
Each May, MACHW organizes and co-hosts an annual conference for community health workers, along with the MA Department of Public Health. Sign up as a MACHW member and you will automatically be invited to the conference.
Other Professional Development Opportunities
You can view our calendar of educational events and programs.
National events that you can attend
UNITY National CHW Conference
Unity is an annual national conference for and about community health workers. Consider attending to learn about the latest issues impacting community health workers and to network with community health workers and community health worker program administrators from across the United States.
American Public Health Association’s Annual Meeting
Each year around early November, the American Public Health Association (APHA) holds its large Annual Meeting for public health professionals. Consider attending to learn from CHWs across the country, potentially share your success stories, and join conversations that shape the CHW profession nationally. The CHW Section of APHA typically offers scholarships for CHWs to attend the Annual Meeting.
Although certification is not required for employment as a community health worker, it is great for your resume! Community health workers will soon be able to apply for CHW Certification through the MA Dept of Public Health. There are two pathways to certification:
- For experienced community health workers: If you have a long history as a community health worker, you can apply to be “grandfathered in” as a Certified Community Health Worker. Ask us for help documenting your work history.
- For new or less experienced community health workers : Sign up for an 80 Core Competency Training through your Regional Training Center.
Click Here for Frequently Asked Questions about Community Health Worker Certification in Massachusetts
Regional Training Centers
- Boston: CHEC Boston: Community Health Education Center at the Boston Public Health Commission offers Core Competency Training as well as one day skill building sessions.
- Lowell: CHEC Lowell: Community Health Education Center at Lowell Community Health Center offers Core Competency Training as well as one day skill building sessions.
- Holyoke: Holyoke Community College offers the course Core Competencies for CHWs (HTH 104), a credit-based class, can be taken as a stand-alone course or as part of an academic certificate for CHWs.
- Worcester: OWTI – Outreach Worker Training Institute at the Center for Health Impact (formerly known as the Central Mass AHEC) in Worcester offers Core Competency Training.
Community Health Workers: Massachusetts needs your leadership!
There are many ways to lead. You can grow your confidence to speak up in your community, help lead your MACHWita chapter, or become an advocate at the state level.
MACHW is always seeking community health workers to serve on regional and state Boards, commissions or coalitions or on MACHWa’s Advisory Board. We will train and support you!
MACHW CHW Policy Leadership Institute
Each winter, community health workers can attend our annual CHW Policy Leadership Institute to be trained as an advocate and policy leader. You will build your leadership skills and prepare for formal or informal leadership roles including policy advocacy related to healthcare and public health. Sign up as a MACHW member and you will automatically be invited to the institute when registration opens.
MACHW Jobs Bank helps match community health workers and CHW supervisors with job openings. Search Job Listings here. Don’t see what you want? In 2018, once healthcare reform is underway, we anticipate many more job postings, so keep checking back!