Recorded presentation

Darlene L. Shearer, DrPH, Elizabeth A. Young, EdD, and Community Health Worker To Be Announced. Lawton and Rhea Chiles Center for Healthy Mothers and Babies, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33612-3805, 813-974-8325, dshearer@hsc.usf.edu

The Maternal Child Services Workforce Development Program at the University of South Florida developed a 21-college credit earning training which results in an Applied Technical Diploma (ATD) for CHWs who work with pregnant women and families with young children. The program’s competency-based curricula for seven courses address a set of core competencies related to knowledge and skill areas identified in collaboration with CWHs, employer agencies, and experts in the MCH field. In broad terms these competencies include: (a) developing effective intra and interpersonal communication skills through an understanding and respect for one’s own culture and the cultural diversities of clients; (b) recognizing and communicating observations relative to the developing fetus and the health and emotional needs of the mother with consideration for cultural practices and beliefs; and (c) educating parents and modeling behaviors to promote healthy infant and child development (ages birth-five) in the areas of cognitive, psychosocial, and physical growth. This session will describe how competencies, and the behavioral objectives associated with their attainment, were infused into three existing Human Services courses at the partner community colleges, and how three specialized courses were created to focus specifically on the mother/child dyad. The session will also demonstrate how specific competencies were taught and measured. A CHW graduate will discuss how the curriculum met their personal and professional needs. They will also discuss the application of their skills and knowledge to their field work experience.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Describe the Chiles Center's Workforce Development ATD, 21 credit,college program for Community Health Workers.
• Recognize the Maternal Child Health competencies that the CHW has gained through completing the program.
• Assess the pros and cons of using this ATD program of studies to enhance the MCH knowledge of the CHW.

Keywords: Community-Based Partnership, Education

Related Web page: www.chilescenter.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: University of South Florida, Tampa Florida
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation