Traditional Health Worker Summit

Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Central Oregon Community College
Redmond Campus
Redmond Technology Education Center-Map Link
2324 SE College Loop, Redmond, OR 97756

Click Here for the Agenda

EARN Up to Eight Continuing Education Hours

Registration Information

Cost: $35 (includes breakfast, lunch and CEUs)

Capacity: Limited to 120 Participants

REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED
Scholarships are available. Click here to complete a short application If approved, you will receive a voucher code via email. Scholarships have closed.

Join us for a full-day summit focused on uplifting and advancing Oregon’s Traditional Health Worker (THW) workforce. This event is designed to foster learning, share best practices, and provide continuing education opportunities for both new and experienced THWs.

Key Features:

Up to 8 continuing education hours available for Traditional Health Workers
Diverse breakout sessions across relevant topic areas
Networking opportunities across community-based organizations, faith-based, schools, community colleges and local and statewide partners.
Breakfast and a taco bar lunch provided (gluten-free and vegan options available).
Affordable registration with scholarships available upon request (see link for a short application below)
Professional Development for THWs: This summit will provide learning and networking opportunities for both new THWs and those already practicing. Participants can submit professional development participation to meet continuing education requirements. Up to eight contact hours (CEUs) over the course of the day can be earned.

Participants Who Should Attend: This summit is for individuals or agencies committed to improving community health from community-based organizations, county health departments, human service agencies, healthcare organizations to educators.

THWs are dedicated to expanding access to healthcare, equity, diversity, and inclusion. THWs are trusted individuals from their local communities who may also share socioeconomic ties and lived life experiences with health plan members. To learn more about THW’s Scope of Practice and their role in bridging services click here. There are five specialty types of THWs:

Community Health Workers
Doulas
Peer Support Specialists
Peer Wellness Specialists
Personal Health Navigators

Next Steps

After registering, you'll receive a confirmation email.

Sign up for Breakout Sessions: The week of August 15th, watch your inbox for a brief survey to select your breakout sessions and confirm attendance. Look for an email from Emily Zeller at Emily.Zeller@pacificsource.com

See cancellation policy at bottom of website.

Need all registrations completed by September 1st to be included in food count and registration

Breakout Session Topics

Suicide Prevention
Earn CEU credits while learning about suicide prevention techniques and the importance of self-care after supporting individuals experiencing suicidal ideation.
Doula Work
Explore the path to becoming a certified Doula, including billing processes and opportunities to integrate into hospitals, clinics, CBOs, or private practice.
Tribal Community Collaboration
Learn how to support and collaborate with tribal communities to honor culturally specific health practices and improve outcomes.
Credit For Prior Learning
Learn how students can earn college credit for skills and knowledge gained through work, military service, or life experience. This session explores Oregon’s CPL pathways, how to navigate the process, and ways to support equitable access to higher education for adult learners.
Supporting Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI) In The Community
Supporting individuals with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI) involves many approaches that address medical, psychological, social, and emotional needs. Taught by two peer support specialists, Jennifer Mendez and Erica Wimbish with living experiences, You will learn some tips and tricks on how to apply person-centered, team-based care for individuals living with SPMI in our community.
OHP Assister Training
Learn how to become an Oregon Health Plan (OHP) assister or Health Ambassador, what services you can provide, and how to plug into a statewide network.
OHA THW Commission
Learn how this statewide commission supports Oregon’s diverse THW workforce—including community health workers, doulas, peer support specialists, and more. Explore how the Commission promotes culturally responsive care, strengthens community health, and advances equity through policy, advocacy, and collaboration with Tribal and local partners.
Motivational Interviewing Applied
Discover the power of person-centered communication. Learn how to use Motivational Interviewing (MI) to support behavior change by enhancing motivation, resolving ambivalence, and empowering individuals to take action.

End-of-Day Self-Care
We’ll close the day with a group wellness session to decompress. Options may include sound baths, yoga, massage therapy, or aromatherapy. Based on last year’s popularity, this session will be open to all attendees rather than offered as a breakout choice.

Registration Information

Cost: $35 (includes breakfast, lunch and CEUs)

Capacity: Limited to 120 Participants

REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED
Scholarships are available. Click here to complete a short application
If approved, you will receive a voucher code via email.

Next Steps

After registering, you'll receive a confirmation email.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations received 14 days prior to the start of the class will receive a full refund. Full refunds are also issued for classes cancelled by COCC. Refunds will be issued back to your card or in the form of a check and mailed within two weeks of the cancellation date if paid by check or cash. Failure to participate in a course or program does not result in a refund. If you have any questions, please call us at (541) 383-7575.

Summit Agenda- CLICK HERE FOR DETAIL AGENDA
EVENT PROGRAM CLICK HERE
8:30 - 9:15 AM	Registration, Coffee, and Networking
9:15 -9:30 AM	Welcome Message
9:30 - 11:00 AM	Morning Breakout Sessions (choose from 4 topics)*
11:00 - 11:15 AM	Break
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM	Continued Sessions or Additional Learning Opportunities
12:00 - 1:30 PM	Lunch (Taco Bar)
1:30 - 3:00 PM	Afternoon Breakout Sessions (choose from 4 topics)*
3:00 - 3:15 PM	Break
3:15 - 4:00 PM	Group Self-Care Sessions (Sound Bath, Yoga, etc.)
*In the week of August 15th, you will be receiving a short survey to confirm attendance and select a break out session.

In advance of college events, persons needing accommodation or transportation because of a physical or mobility disability should contact campus services at 541-383-7775. For accommodation because of other disability such as hearing impairment, contact student accessibility services at sas@cocc.edu or 541-383-7583.