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• Curriculum Summary

  Module One: Introduction to Community Health Work and Cultural Humility

  Lessons include:

  1. History of Community Health Work
  2. CHW Ethics and Values
  3. Professional Communication Skills
  4. Cultural Awareness

  Module Two: Community Health Worker Foundations

  Lessons include:

  1. Public Health and Social Determinants of Health
  2. Community Health Needs Assessment
  3. CHW Across the Lifespan
  4. Maternal and Child Health

  Module Three: Working with Clients

  Lessons include:

  1. Documentation and Interviewing
  2. Motivational Interviewing
  3. Community Outreach and Engagement
  4. Advanced CHW Communication Skills

  Module Four: System Navigation and Coordination Skills

  Lessons Include:

  1. Service Coordination and Referrals
  2. Housing Navigation
  3. Healthcare, benefits, and system Navigation
  4. System Advocacy

  Module Five: Behavioral Health in Montana

  Lessons Include:

  1. Introduction to Behavioral Health in Montana
  2. Behavioral Health Systems
  3. Behavioral Health: Suicide prevention
  4. Self-care in CHW

   

• Eligibility Requirements
  1. You are taking the Community Health Worker training to become a Community Health Worker or are in a similar, non-clinical role in your community and want to improve your skills to connect people to services.
  2. You are not currently in a federal program where you will receive a stipend.
  3. You must have a high school diploma or a GED.
  4. You are a U.S. Citizen.
• Additional Information
  • Stipends will be dispersed to trainees once certain milestones have been completed. Not all trainees are eligible for the stipends.
  • Stipends will be mailed as checks to the name and address you used in Payment Works. If you need to update your address, do so as soon as possible in Payment Works following these instructions. Plus notify us at ccfwd@umontana.edu. If your address is not the same between our systems, this can delay your payment.
  • Please expect 4 to 6 weeks after completing the milestone to receive the check. 
  • The stipends including the tablet stipend count as income and are taxable.
  • If you are participating in any state or federal programs with income limits, please consider the potential impact of this stipend on your total income. Please get in touch with Mackenzie Petersen if you have questions or concerns.
  • Please note we will be tracking your progress in the curriculum, so you will not need to notify the Center once you reach your milestones.
  • If you are at risk of missing a milestone, we will be in contact.
  • Missing milestones will significantly delay payment, so please complete coursework by the dates listed in the course schedule.
• Payment Works Enrollment

  Here are the steps:

  1. You will receive an email invitation from Payment Works and a separate email ccfwd@umontana.edu. Don't forget to check your junk email folder.
  2. Open the email from Payment Works, select the link, and follow the instructions in Payment Works.
  3. You will create an electronic W-9 form as part of this process. The system will prompt you to create and fill out the form. Complete this form as an individual (you will need your social security number).
  4. Once you have completed the prompts from Payment Works, you will be enrolled in the system and stipend(s) with be issued upon the milestone completion dates.
  5. The checks may take four to six weeks to receive once you have reached the milestone completion dates.
  6. You can check your checks progress within payment works, but there is a set process in place so it may not show up for four to six weeks from the time the process starts.

Stipend FAQ

• What if I complete my milestones but do not receive a check?

  There could be several reasons for this. Your check may be in process, you moved during the process, currently in the mail, or you did not officially complete your milestones. Double-check your progress in the curriculum.

  Stipends will be dispersed to trainees once certain milestones have been completed. Not all trainees are eligible for the stipends. Milestone completions listed below, please refer to your course schedule to know the exact dates of completion.

  • Course Registration: After successfully registering in Payment Works, you'll be eligible for a $800 stipend for a tablet purchase. We strongly advise selecting a tablet that is both portable and durable. While it's a suggestion to acquire a tablet for enhanced mobility during the course and for efficient client encounter data collection, there are no specific requirements regarding the tablet type.
  • Completion of Modules 1-3 and First Tele-Coaching Session: Your dedication to learning will be rewarded with a $2,000 stipend.
  • Completion of Modules 4-5 and Participation in Tele-Coaching Sessions: Further milestones that unlock stipend eligibility for a $1500 stipend. The last tele-coaching session is about six months after the start date, review course schedule. 

  You can expect to receive your check approximately 4 to 6 weeks after the milestone completion dates. Please note that we will be tracking your progress in the curriculum, so you will not need to notify the Center once you reach your milestones. If you have confirmed you have reached your milestone, please contact us.

• What if I don't want to receive the full stipend because it would impact my ability to participate in Medicaid or another state program?

  The stipends including the tablet stipend count as taxable income. If the stipend may impact your eligibility for specific assistance programs, please get in touch with our staff to navigate your options.

• What if I cannot participate in the Tele-coaching sessions because of a work or life commitment?

  We recognize that you are all very busy, and we cannot accommodate everyone's schedules. We will allow 'make-up' sessions for every single tele-coaching session. We still strongly encourage everyone who can participate live to do so.

• Can I complete my GED or obtain my H.S. diploma during the training program and still be eligible for the stipend?

  Unfortunately, no. The HRSA guidelines require participants to have their GED or H.S. diploma before beginning the training program.