Credential Pathway

    Your journey to earning the PRISM credential through VPH Academy — aligned with Arkansas (ARCHWA) standards and the C3 competency framework.

    55 Total Hours
    30 hrs Education
    25 hrs Service
    11 C3 Competencies
    ARCHWA Aligned

    Arkansas CHW Hour Requirements

    55
    Total Hours
    30
    Education Hours
    25
    Service Hours

    Per ARCHWA and Act 435 (2025), Arkansas CHW credentialing requires documented training in all 11 C3 competencies plus supervised field experience.

    Arkansas C3 Competency Badges

    9/11 earned
    🗣️
    C3-1
    Communication Skills
    Using language confidently, with empathy, plain and clear. Active listening, written and electronic communication, documenting work.
    🤝
    C3-2
    Interpersonal & Relationship Building
    Coaching, self-management, motivational interviewing, teamwork, conflict management, cultural humility.
    🧭
    C3-3
    Service Coordination & Navigation
    Care coordination, referrals, action plans, goal attainment, follow-up and tracking outcomes.
    🏋️
    C3-4
    Capacity Building
    Helping others reach full potential, community empowerment, networking, coalitions, self-advocacy, community organizing.
    📢
    C3-5
    Advocacy Skills
    Policy development, advocating for change, speaking up for individuals and communities.
    📖
    C3-6
    Education & Facilitation
    Learner-centered teaching, group facilitation, presentations, collaborating with educators, community-informed education.
    🔍
    C3-7
    Individual & Community Assessment
    Individual and community assessment through observation and active inquiry.
    📡
    C3-8
    Outreach Skills
    Case-finding, recruitment, follow-up, materials dissemination, resource inventory maintenance.
    ⚖️
    C3-9
    Professional Skills & Conduct
    Work planning, time management, critical thinking, technology, ethics (HIPAA, ADA), mandatory reporting, self-care, boundaries.
    🔬
    C3-10
    Evaluation & Research
    CBPR, participatory action research, data collection and interpretation, stakeholder engagement.
    🧠
    C3-11
    Knowledge Base
    SDOH, health disparities, healthy lifestyles, mental/behavioral health, health behavior theories, public health principles.

    Credentialing Timeline

    Phase 1
    10 hours

    🏗️ CHW Foundations

    Build core CHW competencies covering communication, interpersonal skills, professional conduct, and the knowledge base. Aligned with Arkansas C3 competencies 1, 2, 9, and 11.

    Modules

    Communication Skills & Active Listening
    Interpersonal Skills & Cultural Humility
    Professional Conduct, Ethics & HIPAA
    Knowledge Base: SDOH & Health Disparities

    Skills Developed

    Active listening
    Cultural humility
    Professional ethics
    HIPAA compliance
    Health literacy
    🏅 Badge:Foundation Builder
    Phase 2
    10 hours

    🧭 Community Engagement & Advocacy

    Master outreach, advocacy, capacity building, service coordination, and community assessment. Covers Arkansas C3 competencies 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8.

    Modules

    Service Coordination & Care Navigation
    Capacity Building & Empowerment
    Advocacy & Policy Change
    Individual & Community Assessment
    Outreach & Resource Navigation

    Skills Developed

    Care coordination
    Community organizing
    Policy advocacy
    Needs assessment
    Resource mapping
    🏅 Badge:Community Navigator
    💬
    Phase 3
    10 hours

    💬 Education, Research & MI

    Develop education/facilitation skills, evaluation & research methods, and motivational interviewing (OARS). Covers Arkansas C3 competencies 6 and 10, plus MI skills development.

    Modules

    Education & Facilitation Techniques
    Evaluation & Research (CBPR/PAR)
    Motivational Interviewing: Spirit & OARS
    Stages of Change & Change Talk
    Health Equity: Gardener's Tale & Frameworks

    Skills Developed

    Group facilitation
    CBPR methods
    Open-ended questions
    Reflective listening
    Health equity analysis
    🏅 Badge:Conversation Catalyst
    Phase 4
    0 hours

    🌈 Wellness Specialty Service

    Apply competencies through guided service across 2+ wellness dimensions (SAMHSA framework). Service hours logged here count toward your 25-hour capstone requirement.

    Modules

    Physical Wellness Service
    Emotional Wellness Service
    Social Wellness Service
    Intellectual Wellness Service
    Spiritual Wellness Service
    Environmental Wellness Service
    Financial Wellness Service
    Occupational Wellness Service

    Skills Developed

    Specialized health promotion
    Community programming
    Targeted intervention
    Wellness coaching
    🏅 Badge:Wellness Specialist
    Phase 5
    25 hours

    💎 Practicum & Project Review

    Log a minimum of 25 service hours through supervised field experience (extra hours earn bonus XP!). Includes a community health project, reflective journaling, mentor evaluation, portfolio development, and final project presentation.

    Modules

    Field Placement & Supervision
    Community Health Project Design
    Reflective Journal & Self-Assessment
    Mentor Evaluation Sessions
    Portfolio Development
    Final Project Presentation & Review

    Skills Developed

    Direct service delivery
    Project management
    Professional documentation
    Competency demonstration
    🏅 Badge:Credentialed Youth CHW

    Aligned with Arkansas & National Standards

    ARCHWA

    Arkansas Community Health Worker Association — state standards and training program alignment.

    Arkansas C3 Competencies

    11 required C3 competencies for Arkansas CHW workforce readiness.

    C3 Project National Standards

    National consensus on CHW roles, skills, and qualities.

    NACHW

    National Association of Community Health Workers — professional development and credentialing pathways.

    APHA CHW Section

    American Public Health Association's CHW advocacy and standards.

    UAMS CHW Training

    University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences — approved CHW training program.

    Act 435 (2025)

    Arkansas legislation establishing statewide CHW credentialing (2025).

    Sources & Standards References

    • C3 Competencies — C3 Project National Standards for CHW roles, skills, and qualities. www.c3project.org
    • ARCHWA — Arkansas Community Health Worker Association, state credentialing standards. www.archwa.org/core-competencies
    • Act 435 (2025) — Arkansas Community Health Worker Act establishing statewide CHW credentialing. arkleg.state.ar.us (PDF)
    • NACHW — National Association of Community Health Workers, professional development and credentialing. nachw.org
    • APHA CHW Section — American Public Health Association Community Health Workers section. www.apha.org
    • UAMS CHW Training — University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences approved CHW training program. communityhealth.uams.edu
    • NHES — National Health Education Standards (SHAPE America). www.shapeamerica.org/standards
    • AR Health Education Standards — Arkansas K-12 Health & Physical Education Curriculum Frameworks. dese.ade.arkansas.gov