The UH Community Health Workers Initiative

About the Program

The health care system has run into a wall of mistrust. Community Health Workers (CHWs) — folks from the community who help with preventive and community health — can create more trust but have only been provided with limited support to build that trust. We believe a new and more significant role for CHWs can provide transformative social and health outcomes for the community by building, sustaining, and deserving trust. A new role for academic experts means that responsive engagement replaces top-down directions and that the experts can help support and celebrate the creativity in the community. An expanded role for faith-based partnerships ties better health to community individuals' mental, physical, and spiritual health. A new strategy for sustaining the business model through long-term outcomes-based payments means that CHWs can work for good pay as health advocates.

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Components of CHWI

Training Center

The Training Center within the Community Health Workers Initiative (CHWI) is approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to provide the 160-hour certification course required to be certified as CHW in the State of Texas. Spanish continuing education hours are also available.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

We offer in-person and virtual continuing education opportunities CEUs for CHWs, CHW Instructors, and other health care professionals.

Visit our conference page for other CEU opportunities.
Conferences

Read more information about all past, current and future CHWI conferences.
Programs & Projects

Read more information about CHWI programs and projects here.

COMING SOON
Responsive Trust Network (RTN)

The Responsive Trust Network (RTN) is dedicated to building a stronger, more supportive, and healthier communities within multiple areas of Houston. The RTN is dedicated to establishing a dynamic research and community platform, where CHWs and other public health professionals collaborate to bolster community engagement.
Registered Apprentice Program (RAP)

COMING SOON

CHWI PARTNERSHIPS

Community Family Centers

Community Family Centers (CFC) provides community-based social and educational services to low-income families in Houston’s Greater East End. CFC is a partner in the establishment of a community hub in the East End centered around care coordination, CHW led projects, and the CHW certification course.

Community Family Centers (CFC) proporciona servicios sociales y educativos basados en la comunidad a familias de bajos ingresos en el Greater East End de Houston. CFC es un socio en el establecimiento de un centro comunitario en el East End centrado en la coordinación de la atención, proyectos dirigidos por CHW y el curso de certificación de CHW.

Patient Care Intervention Center

Patient Care Intervention Center (PCIC) facilitates our data exchange and record keeping. We worked together on deploying a platform that could help our CHW team in providing more accurate resource matching and care coordination. We will be using PCIC in several of our hubs which include Third Ward, East End, New Hope Housing, and Sunnyside.

El Centro de Intervención de Atención al Paciente (PCIC) facilita nuestro intercambio de datos y el mantenimiento de registros. Trabajamos juntos en la implementación de una plataforma que podría ayudar a nuestro equipo de CHW a proporcionar una combinación de recursos y una coordinación de la atención más precisas. Usaremos PCIC en varios de nuestros centros que incluyen Third Ward, East End, New Hope Housing y Sunnyside.

The Higher Way Church at Crestmont

For the semester of Fall 2020, we are partnered with the Higher Way Church at Crestmont, together we will be bringing the CHW certification course to the Sunnyside community. The course will be virtual but we will be providing Sunnyside residents a space within Crestmont church where they will have access to a computer and WiFi to be able to connect to the course while practicing social distancing.

El semestre de otoño de 2020 estamos asociados con la Iglesia Higher Way en Crestmont, juntos llevaremos el curso de certificación de CHW a la comunidad de Sunnyside. El curso será virtual, pero les brindaremos a los residentes de Sunnyside un espacio dentro de la iglesia de Crestmont donde tendrán acceso a una computadora y WiFi para poder conectarse al curso mientras practican el distanciamiento social.

Bread of Life, Inc.

In September of 1992, Pastors Rudy and Juanita Rasmus founded the Bread of Life, Inc. with a simple mission to serve hot nutritious meals to homeless men and women in the downtown Houston area. Bread of Life, Inc. works in close partnership with Beyonce’s BeyGOOD. Together, Beyonce, Tina Knowles-Lawson, and Bread of Life, Inc. have coordinated domestic and global anti-hunger initiatives and provided support to natural disaster victims.

Vecino

A group of CHWs trained by the Community Health Worker Initiative have helped community members within the 25 zip codes of Vecino's service area to provide navigation services, receive COVID-19 vaccines and to utilize the other health services at these clinics. They have been instrumental in bringing in new clients for the clinic and in helping community members understand why having a trusted health clinic can make a real difference in their lives. In the summer of 2023, we will be working together again to certify high school students as community health workers and introduce them to health professions.

Immunization Partnership

The Immunization Partnership advocates for disease prevention using an impactful network of vaccine champions who promote education and evidence-based public policy on the health benefits of childhood and adult vaccinations. TIP aspires to be the trusted resource for increasing immunization rates to create healthier communities. In January 2022, UHCHWI was awarded funding from The Immunization Partnership (TIP) for the creation of a series of vaccine advocacy trainings that touched on social determinants of health, misinformation and rebuilding trust in vaccines. In addition to the series of trainings, UHCHWI hired and trained CHWs on vaccine advocacy to deliver vaccine education to community members in their hubs. 105 students completed the TIP continuing education units in 2022.

UT Tyler

The Building Strong Brains Together Project is an extension of the CHW Initiative of the Trust and Learn Program at the University of Houston. Building Strong Brains Together is a program that empowers Community Health Workers. This empowerment comes through the didactic theories and methods that teach them about how to succor parents and families of toddlers in a home-based stressful environment. These methods include an outreach model using standardized CHW process and outcome measures, the implementation and evaluation of Early Child Development Parent Education in the context of CHW-led care coordination, and the evaluation of program implementation and outcomes with PCIC in coordination with the UTHSCT team.

RADIANT

RADIANT is a network of universities, hospitals and clinics across the United States dedicated to better understanding atypical diabetes. Their team of academic institutions and scientists collaborates with physicians and healthcare groups to identify those with atypical diabetes and learn more about their health. In January 2022, UHCHWI was awarded funding from RADIANT - Rare and Atypical Diabetes Network for the creation of a 1.5 hours atypical diabetes training that touched on social determinants of health and rebuilding trust in research. In addition to the series of trainings, UHCHWI hired and trained CHWs on atypical diabetes and informed others about RADIANT. 50 students completed the RADIANT Atypical Diabetes continuing education units in 2022.

CHWI IN THE NEWS

CHWI on Telemundo (en español)		CHWI News
		$1 Million Grant to go Toward UH’s Community Health Worker Initiative A New Class of Community Health Workers Stands Ready to Make a Difference

Meet the CHWI Team

Alejandro Quijano | Program Director

Alejandro Quijano serves as a Program Director and Community Health Worker Instructor of the UH Community Health Workers Initiative, where they lead efforts to equip Community Health Workers (CHWs) with the knowledge, skills, and support needed to create healthier, stronger communities. With a background in public health and psychology and over four years of experience in program development and community-based initiatives, Alejandro oversees curriculum design, instructor development, and partnerships with health systems, educational institutions, and local organizations. They are dedicated to ensuring the training center provides accessible, locally responsive, and strengths-based education that prepares CHWs to improve health outcomes and thrive in their roles.
Erika Manriquez | CHW III

Erika Manriquez serves as a Community Health Worker Supervisor and Instructor, leading initiatives that connect individuals and families with vital resources, health education, and care coordination. She oversees community health workers across Houston, ensuring they deliver compassionate, culturally relevant support through workshops, outreach, and one-on-one guidance. Erika’s work focuses on addressing both health and social needs, building strong partnerships, and empowering communities to draw on their strengths, overcome barriers, and achieve greater wellbeing.
Maria Cano | CHW II

Maria Cano is a Community Health Worker (CHW) with three years of experience dedicated to improving community health and wellbeing. Maria provides health education workshops on preventive care, chronic disease management, and mental health awareness, while also offering care coordination to connect individuals and families with vital resources. In addition to serving the community directly, Maria is also a certified CHW Instructor, training and mentoring future Community Health Workers to strengthen the public health workforce.
Gabriela Leonor Castañeda | CHW II

Gabriela Leonor Castañeda is a certified Community Health Worker (CHW) and Instructor (CHWI) based in Texas. Originally from Guadalajara, Jalisco, she is a dedicated professional with a deep commitment to community service. Gabriela obtained her CHW certification during the COVID-19 pandemic, a pivotal moment that marked the beginning of her career in public health and community engagement. With a passion for supporting individuals and families, she strives to make a positive and lasting impact in the lives of those she serves.
Nohra Ramirez | CHW II

Nohra Ramirez is a passionate and dedicated Community Health Worker (CHW) and Instructor (CHWI), with over 3 years of experience in providing health education, advocacy and support to diverse populations with the commitment to improve health outcomes in the community by identifying needs and implementing effective solutions. In addition, she trains Community Health Workers to develop their role in supporting their communities and in that way achieve a positive impact on society.
Davonna Trimble | CHW I

Davonna Trimble is a Certified Community Health Worker and Certified CHW Instructor with 4 years of experience supporting and advocating for community health. Her key areas of expertise include maternal health, chronic disease management, mental health, and resource navigation. Davonna is passionate about building trust, providing culturally responsive education, and empowering individuals and families to make informed health decisions. Through strong partnerships and a deep commitment to health equity, she works to remove barriers and foster healthier, more resilient communities.
Samantha Mazariegos | Part-time CHW

Samantha Mazariegos is a dedicated Community Health Worker (CHW) committed to connecting individuals and families with the resources they need to live healthier, more informed lives. With extensive experience in the Southwest Houston area, Samantha has led numerous educational workshops on preventive care, chronic disease management, and mental health awareness. Among her notable achievements is the successful planning and execution of a community health fair that united healthcare providers, wellness organizations, and community members. Through this work, Samantha continues to empower communities by fostering knowledge, providing support, and expanding access to care.
Claudia Serrano | Part-time CHW

Claudia Serrano is a certified Community Health Worker (CHW) and serves as both an educator and an advocate, dedicated to empowering individuals with the knowledge to make healthier choices while ensuring access to vital resources and services that foster independence and well-being. With a strong commitment to supporting underserved communities, Claudia walks alongside individuals as they navigate challenges, discover their strengths, and build pathways to thrive. Guided by Theodore Roosevelt’s words, “Do what you can, where you are, with what you have,” Claudia brings this philosophy into daily practice, embodying a passion for community service and a steadfast dedication to making a meaningful difference.