Training & Events
New Hire CHW Training | Recorded Webinars | Annual Meeting
New Hire CHW Training
Community Health Worker Introductory Training
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are an important health improvement strategy of the Maternal and Infant Health Initiative.
Community Health Workers come from the communities to be served and are specially trained in communication skills, community organization, interviewing and providing basic health information. They work closely with other community service and governmental agencies such as housing, transportation, financial assistance, health, nutrition, mental health, social services, legal aid and others to connect individuals to needed services.
Training Structure
In conjunction with the New York State Department of Health, the Maternal and Infant Health Center of Excellence has combined e-Learning (online) techniques with traditional (classroom) style teaching to form this hybrid training for newly hired Community Health Workers. There are many benefits of blended training. The online sessions allow participants to choose their work environment, eliminating the need for travel and time away from work and home. Each participant can complete the modules at their own pace. The in-person component allows participants to meet each other and the instructors in a face-face environment, and provides the opportunity to practice skill-building through group activities.
The goal of this training is to provide the fundamental knowledge and skill development for staff new to the role of a CHW in Maternal and Child Health. CHW supervisors are encouraged to mentor newly hired CHWs as they complete the modules to respond to questions, and provide additional training on agency specific policies. Following are the 3 components to this course:
- 6 e-Learning modules;
- 1 Webinar, "Relationship between Poverty and Health Outcomes";
- 3-day in-person training.
Click on the name of each module to launch the e-Learning modules and webinar.
E-Learning Modules (Self-Paced):
Module 1: The account for this section has expired
Module 2: Removing Barriers to Health Care
An overview of typical barriers that may prevent high need women and their families from receiving preventive health care and how CHWs can help address those barriers.
Module 3: Cultural Humility & Health Literacy
Provides definitions to cultural competence, cultural humility, and health literacy. Cultural humility and health literacy are critical and important concepts to understand when working across cultures and identities.
Module 4: Health Across the Reproductive Life Course
Provides the CHW with basic knowledge of women's health across the reproductive life course.
Module 5: Elements of a Home Visit
Provides information on important principles of home visiting and processes that promote effective home visiting.
Module 6: Family Planning
Provides information on the importance of family planning and birth spacing and be able to identify multiple options for family planning.
Webinar:
Relationship between Poverty and Health Outcomes
This webinar will present information on how current and historical community factors and characteristics may directly or indirectly influence the short and longer term health of women, infants and children. This is often referred to as community context, the background or environment where your clients live and what they may have to deal with on a daily basis. How this context relates to health, provides important insight into why some of the care and support we provide may have a larger impact on some families than on others.
In-Person Training:
Day 1: CHW Fundamental Skills
Discuss key principles and practice fundamental skills for engaging and working with participants.
Day 2: Working with Survivors of Domestic Violence/ Clear Expectations and Boundaries
Increase CHW understanding of domestic violence, its impact on survivors and their families, ways to identify DV and offer assistance. Discuss challenges facing community health workers in maintaining professional boundaries /expectations and strategies to respond to challenging situations.
Day 3: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders
How to recognize signs of mental health and addiction disorders, understand barriers to receiving culturally appropriate treatment and helpful responses for engaging women in treatment.
Recorded Webinars
Maternal and Infant Health Center of Excellence (MIH-COE) Introduction
Description: Overall COE goal is to support the NYSDOH’s efforts to promote a standard of excellence among programs funded statewide through the Maternal and Infant Health Initiative.
Part 1: Training, Technical Assistance and Evaluation (University of Rochester, Dept of PHS)
Part 2: Development, Maintenance and Management of a Data Management Information System (SUNY Albany)
Link: Maternal and Infant Health Center of Excellence Introduction
Trauma Informed Care and the Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Development
Presenters: Drs. Jody Todd Manly and Robin Sturm
Description: This webinar will present information on the impact of trauma on health and development and on ways in which using a trauma lens can help us connect more sensitively to create partnerships in our work to improve the lives of children and families. Results from studies on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) will be shared, and how this information has increased awareness of the impact of trauma. We will discuss why and how providers and organizations can become more trauma-informed and how a trauma-informed approach can improve resilience for the families we serve.
Target Audience: All staff
Link: Trauma Informed Care and the Impact of ACES on Development
Baby blues and maternal depression: Is there a silver lining?
Presenters: Drs. Jody Todd Manly and Robin Sturm
Description: This webinar will present information on maternal depression and explore ways to identify symptoms, provide education around these symptoms and discuss strategies to know how to support and talk to clients who may be struggling with these feelings. Information from the SAMHSA toolkit for family service providers entitled “Depression in Mothers: More than the Blues” will be shared, and how this information has increased awareness of the impact of maternal depression on families.
Target Audience: All staff
Link: Baby blues and maternal depression Is there a silver lining
Healthy Moms & Healthy Babies: an update on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in pregnancy
Presenter: Dr. Amy Harrington
Description: Prenatal care and the prevention, detection and treatment of disease are all components of maximizing healthy pregnancy outcomes. Sexually transmitted infections not only can affect the health and long-term wellbeing of the mom, but can also cause potentially life long harm to the baby. This course will review the most common STIs, including the Zika virus, their impact on pregnancy, & preventative measures.
Target Audience: All staff
Link: Healthy Moms & Healthy Babies: an update on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in pregnancy
Strategies for Promoting Health Equity in Maternal and Infant Health
Presenter: Amina Alio, PhD
Description: The goal of this webinar is to define health equity in relation to health disparities in maternal and infant health. We will discuss how social determinants of health impact health and contribute to inequity in maternal and infant health outcomes. Addressing these social determinants of health is an important step to promoting health equity for women of childbearing age at the different reproductive life stages. This webinar will present various strategies and resources to promote health equity and reduce racial, ethnic and economic health disparities for women of childbearing age.
Target Audience: Program Directors, Managers, Supervisors
Link: Strategies for Promoting Health Equity in Maternal and Infant Health
Cross-Sector Collaboration Models - How to strengthen your partnership and nurture partnership synergy
(Systems Building Webinar Series - 1 of 3)
Presenter: Kristen Hassmiller Lich, PhD, MHSA
Description: In this webinar, we will introduce leading models, frameworks and principles for effective cross-sector collaboration from the peer-reviewed literature that are relevant to your work. We will describe the variety of objectives motivating alternate approaches, and when possible will provide evidence about which characteristics or features of a partnership matter most in terms of advancing the group’s learning, action, and impact.
Target Audience: Program Directors, Managers, Supervisors
Link: Cross-sector collaboration models
What to put on the agenda for cross-sector collaboration: Processes and activities to advance your system building work
(Systems Building Webinar Series - 2 of 3)
Presenter: Kristen Hassmiller Lich, PhD, MHSA
Description: It’s one thing to identify and convene a group capable of system building. It’s another thing altogether to know what to do with them to move the group toward action. We will introduce 2-3 demonstrated processes that your cross-sector collaboration could implement. When it’s available, we will also connect you to more detailed guidance on specific activities or suggestions to operationalize the process. We’ll close with a discussion about which models feel most useful based on your collaboration’s objectives, strengths, and how partners feel most comfortable working together.
Target Audience: Program Directors, Managers, Supervisors
Link: What to put on the agenda for cross-sector collaboration
Systems Building - Using the PARTNER Survey results to develop practical, specific action items for strengthening collaborations
(Systems Building Webinar Series - 3 of 3)
Presenter: Amina Alio, PhD
Description: In this Webinar, we will use the PARTNER Survey results to identify steps towards improving your collaborative. Whether you currently have a formal collaborative or are looking to create one, this webinar will help you synthesize information from your Survey results and the 2 preceding Systems Building Webinars to guide you in creating a program-specific action plan for building and/or strengthening your collaborative.
Target Audience: Program Directors, Managers, Supervisors
Link: Using the PARTNER Survey results
Client Outreach – Promising strategies for conducting outreach with potential participants and lessons learned from what you are currently doing to reach your priority population.
(Outreach Webinar Series - 1 of 2)
Presenter: Heather McGrane Minton, PhD
Description: The goal of this webinar is to describe effective techniques to conduct outreach with potential participants and to discuss program specific experiences with conducting outreach. Strategies from the literature that have been successful in the identification and enrollment of women and families into programs will be reviewed. Programs will share their promising techniques for conducting outreach with potential participants. Individual programs will have an opportunity to share how they plan their outreach activities, and identify barriers and successes to outreach. This webinar will detail promising strategies from the literature and detail individual sites lessons learned including strategies for reaching various populations within their community and sharing strategies that did not work
Target Audience: MICHC Staff
Link: Client Outreach - Promising strategies for conducting outreach
Client Outreach - How can you incorporate effective outreach techniques into your program?
(Outreach Webinar Series - 2 of 2)
Presenter: Ann M. Dozier, PhD
Description: Based on previously learned successful outreach methods from the literature and individual sites’ shared experiences, the goal of this webinar is to provide information on how to incorporate best practices surrounding outreach within your community. We will discuss common barriers to incorporating techniques and provide suggestions on how best to effectively reach your priority populations. This webinar is the culmination of the series on outreach strategies and will specifically address how to effectively use these tactics to improve outreach in your community.
Target Audience: MICHC Staff
Link: Client Outreach - Incorporating Effective Outreach Techniques
Cultural Humility: Bridging the Socio-Cultural Divide
Presenters: Adrienne L. Morgan, PhD & Yolanda Sayres
Description: This webinar will review the definitions of cultural humility and present its relevance for community work. As we work to provide the best opportunities for women with various needs and of different socio-cultural backgrounds, it is important to recognize that we cannot be experts or competent in all cultures. However, we can utilize an approach of cultural humility to interact with populations we do not belong to and are not familiar with, whether economically or socially. Cultural humility is necessary for bridging the social, economic and/or cultural gaps between health and human service workers and the communities they serve. This webinar will provide specific strategies for working with various populations in the field of maternal and infant health.
Target Audience: All Staff Levels
Link: Cultural Humility: Bridging the Socio-Cultural Divide
The Role of CHWs in Addressing Pre-Conception and Inter-Conception Health
Presenter: Amina Alio, PhD
Description: In this webinar we present current recommendations and promising practices for use in maternal and infant health programs addressing pre- and inter-conception health. To promote optimal pregnancy and birth outcomes, it is equally important to be aware of available resources and potential partners for addressing health issues early on, before conception.
Target Audience: MICHC CHWs
Link: The Role of CHWs in Addressing Pre-Conception and Inter-Conception Health
Tobacco Use and Exposure in Mothers and Children
Presenter: Deborah Ossip, PhD
Description: This interactive webinar will focus on tobacco use and exposure among women of childbearing age and their children. Topics will include: risks of tobacco use, secondhand smoke, and thirdhand smoke; implementing a “triple screen” of personal and household tobacco use, smoke-free homes and smoke-free vehicles; analyzing messaging around tobacco use and exposure; and how community health workers and home visiting staff can integrate messages as they encounter women at different reproductive life course stages: preconception, prenatal/postpartum, and/or interconceptional periods. Tobacco use and exposure will include traditional tobacco products as well as emerging products, such as hookah and electronic nicotine delivery systems.
Target Audience: All Staff Levels
Link: Addressing Tobacco Use and Exposure in Mothers and Children
What's New with Breastfeeding?
Presenters: Ann Dozier, RN, PhD and Casey Rosen-Carole, MD, MPH, MSEd
Description: This webinar will provide an update to what we know about the health benefits provided by breastfeeding including a discussion about persistent disparities along with successful strategies to increase intention, initiation and duration of any and exclusive breastfeeding.
Target Audience: All Staff Levels
Link: What's New with Breastfeeding?
Engaging Fathers
Presenter: Amina Alio, PhD
Description: Fathers (including male partners) have been recognized to have an impact on maternal and infant outcomes. MIH programs struggle to involve fathers, especially in the prenatal, inter-conception and pre-conception life stages. In this Webinar, we will first review the direct and indirect impact of fathers across the reproductive life stages and on maternal and infant outcomes. We will discuss potential pathways through which fathers may improve MIH outcomes. Secondly, we will learn about promising practices and strategies for engaging fathers in MIH programs.
Target Audience: MICHC Staff
Link: Strategies for Engaging Fathers in Maternal and Infant Health programs
Substance Use & Pregnancy
Presenter: Aaron Fields, MD
Description: In this webinar we will provide an overview of common drugs of abuse, how they work, and what they do to the human body and pregnancy in particular. We will also provide information on how to screen for substance abuse, and how to identify substance abuse in people who do not self-disclose. Finally, we will review core concepts of how to discuss substance abuse with people who are using, and how you can help even if they aren't at a stage where they're willing to accept help.
Target Audience: MICHC Staff
Link: Helping Baby by Helping Mom: Identifying substance abuse, how to talk about it, and how you can help
Annual Meeting
2017 Annual Meeting
We are excited to announce that our Annual Meeting registration is now open! It will be on May 9-10, 2017 at The Desmond Hotel in Albany, NY . This year’s meeting has been structured slightly different. On Day 1, we will meet with our MIH programs. In an effort to create synergy & strengthen our local collaborations, Day 2 will be a joint meeting with contractors of our other COEs within the NYS DOH Bureau of Women, Infant and Adolescent Health (BWIAH): Family Planning and Act for Youth.
May 9th: MIHCOE Annual Meeting - Click Here for Session Details & Resources
May 10th: BWIAH Joint Provider Day - Click Here for Session Details & Resources
2016 Annual Meeting
Keynote Address
System vs Service-Level Change
Kristen Hassmiller Lich
Definitions, frameworks, and tools to help diverse teams understand how to approach system-level change. Once you have committed to changing a system (or you have been charged to do so), it can feel daunting to know where to begin for a variety of reasons. In this session, we will illustrate the difference between system and service-level change. We will describe characteristics of effective leaders of system change as well as actions teams might consider..
Concurrent Session 1
Systems Building using System Support Maps
Kristen Hassmiller Lich
System Support Maps are a novel systems-thinking assessment tool that is useful as a foundation for cross-sector collaboration and systems improvement efforts. System Support Maps are completed by all relevant stakeholders within the system under study (i.e., those who have a role in the system, or are affected by it; maps can be completed by individuals, groups sharing a role, or organizations). This activity offers a guided approach to help stakeholders think about, document, discuss, and troubleshoot a system from their varying perspectives. Maps visually document stakeholders’ objectives or responsibilities within the system under study (e.g., relevant activities that should be shared or considered for improvement/integration opportunities), what they need to succeed in each objective, what resources they have used (and whether they were useful or not), and what they wish for most to better support them in their work.
Concurrent Session 2
Partner Engagement
Ann Marie White
Agency to agency inter-collaboration is an often occurring programmatic demand as attention is increasingly focused on meeting comprehensive needs in manners that are mother-and-child centered. Success at collaborative practices at program and provider levels rely on a host of individual, program, and community system features to initiate and develop partnerships.
Plenary
The Role of Trauma-Informed Care in Systems-level Impact
David A. Wallace
This workshop will outline the growing body of research linking exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and illustrate how the data can shape practice and policy across human service sectors. Participants will improve their knowledge and understanding of the ACEs research and learn how the data may be specifically applied to improving practice and informing policy at a local, state and national level.
Plenary
Introduction to the Collective Impact Framework and Emerging Best Practices to Help Yours Thrive
Kristen Hassmiller Lich
There is a lot of buzz these days about “collective impact.” Did you know it’s a formal framework? In this session, we will introduce the principles of the Collective Impact Framework as well as some other best practices you can use as you embark on cross-sector systems improvement work.