PLEASE REGISTER IN FORM BELOW
When: September 30th, October 2nd, 7th, 9th. From 9am-4pm at SWACH (311 W 11th St., Vancouver, WA 98660)
Format: In-person, 4-day training. If a participant needs to miss a session, please contact asia.bakke@southwestach.org in advance.
Interactive sessions | Group discussions | Reflective activities
Ideal for: CHWs, peer specialists, outreach workers, and anyone committed to equitable, community-centered work
This comprehensive training is designed for individuals working or aspiring to work as Community Health Workers (CHWs), peer professionals, or other frontline community-based roles. Participants will gain foundational knowledge and practical tools to serve their communities effectively and ethically, while fostering their own personal and professional growth.
The training uses a popular education approach, which emphasizes shared learning, active participation, and respect for the knowledge that each person brings. Rather than a lecture-based format, it creates a collaborative space where participants learn from one another through dialogue, storytelling, and hands-on activities—encouraging critical thinking and collective action.
Through this interactive and experiential model, participants will explore key concepts and practices including:
Community Health Worker and Peer Professions: Roles, responsibilities, and the growing importance of lived experience in health and social service systems.
Popular Education Principles: A participatory learning model that centers lived experience and community wisdom.
Trauma-Informed Care: Understanding trauma and how to promote safety, trust, and empowerment for clients and ourselves.
Social Determinants of Health: Identifying how factors like housing, income, education, and environment impact individual and community well-being.
Cross-Cultural Skills: Developing cultural humility and communication strategies to work effectively across diverse communities.
Community Engagement: Building authentic relationships and mobilizing community strengths for sustainable change.
Self-Care, Ethics, and Boundaries: Navigating the emotional demands of community work while maintaining personal well-being and professional integrity.
By the end of the training, participants will be better equipped to foster trust, promote health equity, and act as powerful agents of change within their communities.