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Community Health Education Center

Community Health Workers (CHWs) play a key role in the health and well-being of Boston’s multicultural residents. The Community Health Education Center (CHEC) is a training and professional development center. It enhances the capacity of CHWs to provide outreach and health education in the diverse communities of Boston.

CHEC provides standardized training for CHWs. It has a network of more than 2,000 CHWs working in different communities. CHEC's core competency and supervisory training are nationally recognized. They set the standard for CHW professional development in Massachusetts.

  • bphclogo@3x-8

  • Questions about our work? Want to learn more? 

  • 1010 Massachusetts Ave.

    Boston, MA 02118
  • Open Monday through Friday

    9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Mission

CHEC Logo

Establish community outreach and health education work as a valued practice within public health. Provide education, training programs, professional development, and opportunities. CHEC supports the creation and advancement of national and state standards.

The following core principles guide CHEC’s programs:

  • Validate the strategic role of community health workers. CHWs play a strategic role in building healthier communities and eliminating health disparities. As members of the communities they serve, they have a first-hand understanding of the complexity and scope of health equity.
  • Build on CHW's knowledge and skills. The CHEC draws on CHW's diverse experiences to increase their knowledge of health topics, strengthen their job skills, and promote culturally-appropriate methods of service and delivery in the community and especially to underserved populations.
  • Use methods appropriate for adult learners. An adult learner approach prepares CHWs for real-world situations, clients, and experiences. This approach reinforces that CHWs are active, visible role models in their communities. They guide community members to positive, healthier lives and improve their own skills and capacity for learning.
  • Engage CHWs in all aspects of our program. CHEC includes CHWs in planning, implementation, and assessment of its training program, professional development, and networking activities.  CHW input ensures that the program meets their needs and their community’s needs. It also ensures the program values and validates cultural and ethnic experiences of its participants.
  • Promote cohesiveness among CHWs as a community-based public health network. CHEC’s networking forum nurtures a CHW's developing identity as a valuable member of a professional group with common aspirations and challenges.

Programs

  • Present methods of outreach and health education at culturally diverse community sites.
  • Provide information and referrals on a range of health topics.
  • Connect you with other front-line health workers across the city.

Community health workers and experts in various health fields design our programs. CHEC's advisory group fine-tunes all programs to ensure they meet your needs.

For more information about cost and training call 617-534-5181 or email us at CHECenter@bphc.org.

CHEC Training programs

Meet the staff

Name Role
Anjali Nath
Program Director
Niejel Barber Program Manager
Toni Brooks Program Coordinator
Brahim Aswald CHW Resiliency Trainer
Devin Boyle CHW Resiliency Coordinator

Networking and Professional Development

Stay Connected​​​​

CHEC hosts a monthly gathering of CHWs. They share outreach strategies, network with other CHWs, and learn about client services and resources. The gatherings provide mutual support to continue reaching out to people in our communities. They also build your network and professional contacts. CHEC supports and promotes professional growth and advancement by providing  opportunities and tools.

Newsletter

Get CHEC's training calendar, newtorking forums and monthly newletter

Join the CHEC Network!

Directions

  • bphclogo@3x-8

  • Questions about our work? Want to learn more? 

  • 1010 Massachusetts Ave.

    Boston, MA 02118
  • Open Monday through Friday

    9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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