On July 31 and August 1, the NCHWTC traveled to El Paso, Texas to provide training to 70 CHWs. The training event was hosted by the National Rural Health Association.

Katharine Nimmons, the center director, and Denise Adame, an affiliated instructor and former graduate assistant with the center, delivered “Practical Tips for Getting it D.O.N.E. (Diabetes, Obesity, Nutrition, Exercise)” on Thursday afternoon, July 31 and Friday morning, August 1. The training was delivered entirely in Spanish, and all participants received 5 certified CEUs.

The D.ON.E. training describes practical strategies CHWs can utilize in their outreach work to address common chronic diseases and health behaviors facing their communities. This training evolved from feedback from CHWs saying that while they have knowledge and information regarding the most common chronic diseases and poor health behaviors, what they really need is assistance relating to practical, easy to follow strategies that will improve the health of the residents they serve.

The CHWs in El Paso enthusiastically participated in activities designed to convey these practical tips, including role play scenarios, group skits, a jeopardy review game, and interactive discussions. It was a dynamic and rewarding training, and CHWs from across Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico were able to learn from each other as well as from the instructors.

The NCHWTC is in the process of adapting the in-person D.O.N.E. training to an online format, so that CHWs elsewhere will have the opportunity to access these CEUs. More news to come!