Training

Training Overview

The following CHW Training Programs are offered in South Dakota. For organizations seeking reimbursement for CHW services, it is important to confirm that a training program is approved by the payer source prior to an individual beginning a training program. Additional training programs are available, but may not always align with reimbursement for CHW services, depending on the payer source.

Click here to learn more about CHW Titles in South Dakota.

Click here to view a recorded webinar which provides an overview of the CHW Training Programs and Scope of Work.

Certificate-Level Training Programs

Learn More

Specified Training Programs

Learn More

Training Programs

While many training programs are available regionally and nationally for Community Health Workers (CHWs), the five (5) CHW training programs listed above are approved by the South Dakota Department of Social Services (SD DSS) for reimbursement for CHW services. To learn more about reimbursement of CHW services in South Dakota, click here.

The Community Health Worker (CHW) Agency Addendum to the South Dakota Medicaid Provider Agreement provides a complete summary of details required for an organization to become a Medicaid agency and (based on training completed by CHWs) receive reimbursement for CHW services.

Training Program Examples

The following are examples of CHWs providing services as they relate to different CHW training programs available in South Dakota. These are not actual program scenarios but instead examples created to assist in further describing the CHW position and CHW Training Programs in South Dakota.

Marsha

Marsha is a Community Health Worker at a small medical clinic in Redfield, SD. As a CHW, she primarily works with patients to help them navigate the regional healthcare systems and coordinate transportation to medical appointments. She also attends appointments with patients and encourages health education to prevent future complications for patients with diabetes and heart disease. Marsha completed the CHW Certificate Program through Lake Area Technical College (LATC) and is currently working to obtain her CHW Associates Degree to expand her professional knowledge.

Deidra

Deidra works as a Community Health Worker with a health system in Rapid City as a part-time Lay Leader facilitating the Better Choices, Better Health® (BCBH) workshops. She provides health education to attendees that teach them skills to manage their health and maintain active and fulfilling lives. A new position is available at her health system for a Clinical CHW. Deidra applied for the position, but a requirement for the position is completion of a full CHW Training Program in South Dakota. Deidra is considering completing the CHW Certificate Training through Lake Area Technical College.

John

John works as a Community Health Representative (CHR) with a tribe in South Dakota. He was hired as a CHR to work with a grant-funded asthma prevention and control program. When he was first hired, John completed the Indian Health Service Community Health Representative Training Program. He primarily provides health promotion and coaching to patients to help them to quit using tobacco products and conducts home studies to identify possible asthma triggers, such as mold and secondhand smoke. John also provides transportation for patients to an asthma clinic in Sioux Falls, SD.

Cynthia

Cynthia is a receptionist at an urgent care in a rural community in Central South Dakota. Patients who are seen at the urgent care for broken bones are referred to a larger hospital or facility with an orthopedic physician for additional care or surgery. Cynthia works to help the patients find a place to stay when traveling for their follow-up care and helps them to find rides for follow-up care. Although Cynthia provides some services that could be provided by a CHW, she is not considered a CHW in South Dakota as she has not completed an approved CHW Training Program.

Miguel

Miguel is a Spanish interpreter for the Hispanic population at a Federally Qualified Health Care Center (FQHC) in Huron, SD. Miguel interprets and helps educate patients to better understand basic health education and oral health information. Miguel has recently trained as a Lifestyle Coach for the National Diabetes Prevention Program ( National DPP) and will soon be leading a National DPP in Spanish at his FQHC clinic. As a CHW leading a National DPP, Miguel hopes to share more about his personal experiences with prediabetes.

If your organization is interested in learning more about creating a CHW training program, contact the CHWSD for more information, guidance, and technical support.

Contact CHWSD