Services - NMCHWA

Evaluation
In April 1996 Robert Wood Johnson and Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation funded a companion CHW evaluation project. The two goals of the evaluation project were: 1) to evaluate CHW programs in New Mexico have a measurable benefit on the clients they serve, and 2) to provide technical assistance to CHW programs in New Mexico in developing and implementing appropriate evaluation methods and data collection. Three national consultants provided technical assistance during the early development phase, Dr. J. Nell Brownstein, Dr.Terri D. Sterling and E. Lee Rosenthal. During the first year participants worked together to develop evaluation methods and questionnaires which were consistent with the functions of the participating CHW programs and NMCHWA. The second year focused on collecting data from each of the participating CHW sites and providing technical assistance on evaluation to other New Mexico CHW programs. Participants in the evaluation project worked closely with the National Community Health Advisor Study funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The NCHA study was part of a national initiative to support and strengthen CHW programs. Copies of the New Mexico Community Health Worker Program evaluation study are available through ktollest@unm.edu.

Training Curriculum and Graduation Ceremony
In 1993, a training curriculum was developed though a collaborative effort between the University of New Mexico Area Health Education Center and the Prenatal Care Network and focus groups made up of CHW program staff. The New Mexico Department of Health and the New Mexico Chapter of the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation provided funding for the curriculum. The curriculum, Reaching Out: A Training Manual For Community Health Workers includes 40 hours of training in topics such as:

• Orientation into the CHW model
• Communication Skills (including confidentiality)
• Community Resources
• Prenatal Care I
• Prenatal Care II
• Labor and Delivery/Postpartum Care
• Breastfeeding and Nutrition
• Substance Use/Domestic Violence
• Sexuality, Family Planning, STD's
• Early Childhood Development

The manual is provided free of charge to all new local CHW programs in New Mexico. The training is conducted in modules over an extended period for a total 40-hours. It includes role-playing home visits, viewing films, class discussions, lecture and visits to health care providers. The written material is at a level that is easy to understand by the lay health worker. Participants are encouraged to take part in deciding how the training sessions will be conducted. Upon completion, participants are presented with a Certificate of Completion from the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center at the annual statewide training conference.

The curriculum is available for out of state programs for $25 + shipping. Click on Contact Us for more information.

Skills Building
Although the curriculum appears to have an MCH focus, other topics are introduced as needed by the programs or individuals. NMCHWA members meet on a quarterly basis and request training on other skills. Among them are:

• Evaluation
• meeting facilitation & planning
• public speaking
• group dynamics
• communication
• mental health
• grant writing & fundraising
• board training
• use of computers

Many of these topics are addressed at annual training conferences or quarterly meetings.

Training
The Association holds an annual training conference. Workshops include: Domestic Violence, Breast and Cervical Cancer, Mental Health, CHWs as Doulas, Nutrition and Lifestyle Change, Bio-terrorism, Block Leader Project, and Certification and Legislative Initiatives on behalf of CHWs.