May 8, 10-11:30 am: Complex Reflections
Reflections are a core Motivational Interviewing (MI) skill. Simple reflections are repeating back what the person said, while complex reflections take things a bit deeper. These reflections build on what you sense are the client’s thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. Learn more about complex reflections with time for discussion and guided practice.
Prerequisite: Basic MI course/familiar with Basic MI skills (open ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, summaries)
Register

May 22, 10-11:30 am: Rolling with Resistance and Discord
Resistance is likely to arise when a client is pushed too hard or too fast to change. Motivational Interviewing describes two types of resistance talk: sustain talk and discord. Learn more about how to put MI skills to use during challenging conversations.
Prerequisite: Basic MI course/familiar with Basic MI skills (open ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, summaries)
Register

June 14, 10-11:30 am: Exploring Values
Values are our principles—like being there for family, or wanting to be healthy. You can help your clients think about the values that guide their lives. If this exploration is done in a respectful and genuine way, it can lead to the motivation the client needs to move forward in creating change. But how do you do this? In this workshop, you will examine your own values as well as learn techniques for using values in your discussions with clients.
Basic Motivational Interviewing knowledge helpful but not required.
Spanish interpretation provided for the June 14 session.
Register

These trainings are presented by the Patient Navigation and CHW Training Program in partnership with Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Program (CPED) at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Motivational Interviewing Skills for Vaccine Hesitancy 

Click Here to Register

Click Here to Register

Spring 2024 Dates

• May 17 (in-person)
• May 18 (virtually)
• June 4 (in-person)
• June 6 (virtually)
• June 11 (in-person)
• June 14 (virtually)

To register for the assessment, individuals must have completed verified coursework from a state-recognized training program (Otero College, Patient Navigation and Community Health Worker Training program, Metro State University at Denver or the CU Multidisciplinary Center on Aging). Please complete the Colorado Health Navigator Registry Application to verify training prior to registration for the assessment. After completed training is verified, you will receive a link to register for the assessment. Registration must be completed 30 days prior to the date of the assessment.

As a reminder, the required coursework to qualify for the assessment under under PNCT is:

• Level 1 Health Navigation Fundamentals
• Basic Motivational Interviewing (if Level 1 taken online)
• Level 2 Care Coordination

PNCT will schedule a free review session prior to these spring assessments – details to come.

The Colorado Legislature passed Senate Bill 23-002 in May 2023, ushering in community health worker (CHW) services as a Health First Colorado benefit starting July 1, 2025. Seeking federal authorization from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) by July 1, 2024, HCPF is dedicated to adding CHW services as a covered benefit. The stakeholder feedback process is underway to gather input on meeting federal requirements for this significant addition.

Exciting news awaits as we share that all slides from the recent webinar series on Medicaid Reimbursement for Community Health Workers (CHWs) are now accessible on the HCPF CHW Webpage. Whether you joined the discussions live or couldn’t make it, these resources provide a recap of the insightful sessions.

Although the formal stakeholder process has wrapped up, they are still looking for valuable feedback until Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Share your thoughts:

• Feedback Form

This webinar will help explain the CY2024 CMS physician fee schedule (aka “CMS rule”) as it pertains to Principal Illness Navigation, Community Health Integration, and Social Determinants of Health Risk Assessment codes. We will discuss what we know, what we don’t know, and how to comment on real-world implementation of these new codes. We will also discuss training and resources to position cancer patient navigators for success and provide examples from two states and their CHW trainings and certification processes.

Date & Time:
The webinar will take place 1-2 pm MT/3 – 4 pm ET on Tuesday, Feb 20, 2024.

In this role (15 openings in rural workforce centers, 4 in immigrant-serving organizations in Denver and Colorado Springs), you’ll work one-on-one during 60 minute appointments with up to four community members per work day.

Your goal is to help them get internet access at home and become proficient in using devices like smartphones, tablets, or computers. This support is crucial for accessing employment and education, banking, healthcare, government services, and communication through email and social media. Your efforts contribute to empowering individuals to independently handle tasks and access information digitally.

Preferred Qualifications:
Ability to communicate foundational digital literacy and skills concepts verbally in Spanish, Amharic, Arabic, French, Chinese (Mandarin and/or Cantonese), Nepali, Russian, Somali, and/or Vietnamese
1+ years paid or unpaid teaching, training and/or tutoring a diverse population of adults on using technology
Experience providing direct services to non-native English speakers, people with limited literacy skills, and/or people with disabilities who require accommodations for digital access
Experience assessing skills, identifying strengths and opportunities for growth, setting goals and monitoring progress

Click Here to Read More and Apply

Source: Colorado Department of Labor & Employment

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is beginning to use the term “community health worker” instead of “health navigators” in an effort to better align with other states and prepare for Medicaid reimbursement in the future. Those working in these roles may also be known as promotores de salud/promatora, patient navigator or resource navigator.

This change in terminology will not have any immediate impacts but you will begin to see changes to CDPHE web pages, newsletters, and other collateral as we transition to using community health workers as an umbrella term.

Because community health workers and health navigators offer similar skills and services to patients and employers, this transition to community health workers will not have an immediate impact on Coloradans who already work in these fields.

By adding community health workers to the current infrastructure, employers may be able to find more employees who match the qualifications they are seeking.

Resources: More information about Adopting Community Health Workers as an Umbrella Term for the Workforce in Colorado

To Read the Full Article Click Here

Credit: Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing

🌟 Ready to make a positive impact? Join our upcoming training session on Motivational Interviewing for Vaccine Hesitancy, exclusively designed for Colorado’s community health workers. Thanks to our partnership this course is offered for free! Secure your spot now and be a part of this empowering initiative.

Designed for community health workers, this training explores motivational interviewing strategies to engage individuals in open conversations about vaccination. Led by esteemed expert Kathleen Garrett, MA, this course equips participants with the skills to navigate vaccine hesitancy, fostering understanding and encouraging informed decisions. Join us in building a community of advocates who can drive positive change in public health. Through dynamic sessions enriched with roleplay activities, attendees will not just learn but actively practice strategies that engage individuals in meaningful, non-confrontational conversations about vaccination. Join us as we equip community health workers with the tools to navigate hesitancy, fostering understanding and driving positive change in public health.

📋 Fill out the interest form here and pave the way for change in your community! 🌐✨

As January unfolds, we turn our attention to an important health initiative—Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. This month serves as a dedicated platform to shed light on the prevention, early detection, and understanding of cervical cancer. Our goal is to increase awareness by providing valuable resources and links for women’s health. Discover essential information about screenings, HPV vaccination, and access reliable testing resources.

Resources and more information:

• CDC
• National Cervical Cancer Coalition
• CU Cancer Center

• February 7, 2024 (in-person)
• February 9, 2024  (in-person)
• February 10, 2024 (virtually)
• February 21, 2024 (virtually)

Spring dates will be announced after the winter session. To register for the assessment, individuals must have completed verified coursework from a state-recognized training program (Otero College, Patient Navigation and Community Health Worker Training (PNCT) , Metro State University at Denver, CU Multidisciplinary Center on Aging). Please complete the Colorado Health Navigator Registry Application to verify training prior to registration for the assessment. After completed training is verified, you will receive a link to register for the assessment. Registration must be completed 30 days prior to the date of the assessment.

PNCT will be offering FREE review sessions to help participants prepare for the state assessment.

11 am-1 pm Jan 24: Register Here
10 am-noon Feb 3: Register Here

Explore a diverse range of subjects in this extensive ‘Level 1’ training, covering the history and role of patient navigation, effective patient communication, health promotion, and professional conduct. Seize the chance to connect with fellow navigation professionals and broaden your network!

When 🗓️ 1/17/2024 – 3/13/2024
Join us for Live Learning Sessions 🕙 6 pm- 7 pm MT:

📆 January 17th – LLS 1 (Course Orientation)
📆 January 24th – LLS 2
📆 January 31st – LLS 3
📆 February 7th – LLS 4
📆 February 14th – No Class
📆 February 21st – LLS 5
📆 February 28th – LLS 6
📆 March 6th – LLS 7
📆 March 13th – LLS 8

Click Here to Register and Find out More

Discover Motivational Interviewing (MI): A patient-centered approach for fostering behavior change. Join our interactive online course to learn essential MI techniques—open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summarizing. No prior MI experience needed!

When 🗓️ 1/16/2024 – 2/6/2024
Join us for Live Learning Sessions 🕙 10 am-11 am MT:

📅 January 16: LLS 1
📅 January 23: LLS 2
📅 January 30: LLS 3
📅 February 6: LLS 4

Click Here to Register and Find out More

Focus Groups on Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement 
We are looking for focus group participants to learn more about your experience, perspective, and knowledge regarding the new Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement streams and mechanisms. There are no correct answers! We just want to learn from you. The 1-hour focus groups will be held online via Zoom and scheduled in 2024.
Sign Up Here

Misinformation Course Development
Have you had to deal with misinformation at your work? We are looking for you to help us design a course on strategies for dealing with misinformation. The time commitment will 4 to 5 half-day, in person workshops in metro Denver. A stipend is provided for your time.
Sign Up Here 

Language Survey
We are conducting a survey to assess the language needs of diverse community health workers and patient navigators who serve multi-lingual community members and individuals in Colorado. PNCT is requesting your input on a brief survey that should take no more than 5 minutes. In 2024, we have funds to offer our trainings in a third language (other than English and Spanish). Your response will help us determine what languages navigators and CHWs would prefer to learn in.
Take Language Survey

To secure federal authorization from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) by July 1, 2024, the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) will actively engage in stakeholder consultations. These sessions aim to gather valuable insights on meeting federal requirements for the inclusion of CHW services. Learn more

Here’s a timeline of key events:

Stakeholder Webinar #1: Jan. 9 at 10 a.m.
Stakeholder Webinar #2: Jan. 23 at 10 a.m.
Draft proposal for federal authorization
Stakeholder Webinar #3: Feb. 13 at 10 a.m.
Stakeholder Webinar #4: Feb. 27 at 10 a.m.
Submission deadline to CMS: July 1, 2024
CMS approval, system updates, provider communications: 2024-2025
Benefit Go-Live: July 1, 2025

For those interested in participating in these crucial discussions, registration for the stakeholder meetings can be completed by clicking here

This initiative aims to empower healthcare professionals and community leaders with effective communication skills, addressing individual concerns and building trust in vaccinations. The funding not only underscores a commitment to health equity but also enables PNCT to bridge the gap between training and real-world vaccine communication practices.

PNCT’s mission is to create a healthier and more resilient society by fostering understanding and informed decision-making in communities across Colorado. This funding marks a significant step towards achieving this goal and reflects a collaborative effort to enhance community outreach in vaccine education.

For more information on our Vaccine Hesitancy trainings, please visit our registration form.