UMass Boston Launches State-Approved Community Health Worker Training Program with Specialization in Therapeutic Mentoring
The University of Massachusetts Boston has been approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health as a Community Health Worker (CHW) training site for a specialized training pathway in therapeutic mentoring. This initiative is led by UMass Boston in partnership with the Center for Evidence-Based Mentoring and supported by MentorPRO Academy, an innovative online learning platform dedicated to advancing the mentoring field.
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are frontline public health professionals who serve as trusted connectors between health and social services and the communities they support. In Massachusetts, CHWs help individuals access care, navigate systems, and build healthier lives. State certification as a CHW requires completion of a state-approved core training program and supervised field experience.
UMass Boston’s new CHW training program is among the first in the state to offer a specialized focus on therapeutic mentoring—a structured, goal-oriented, and trauma-informed support relationship between a trained adult mentor and a young person facing mental health or social-emotional challenges. Therapeutic mentors work alongside families, clinicians, schools, and service providers to help youth build skills, confidence, and pathways to success.
The training includes a three-course sequence developed in collaboration with the Center for Evidence-Based Mentoring:
- Therapeutic Mentoring (live, virtual via Zoom)
- Case Management (live, virtual via Zoom)
- Internship Seminar (live, in person weekly)
Individuals do not need to be current UMass Boston students – anyone from the community can register and take these courses. These courses are designed to prepare participants with the knowledge and skills needed to support youth in community settings. Upon successful completion, participants must also complete supervised practice hours to become eligible for certification as a Community Health Worker in Massachusetts.
“We’re excited to support UMass Boston in offering this innovative training pathway,” said Dr. Alex Werntz, Associate Director at the Center for Evidence-Based Mentoring and Director of Research at MentorPRO. “This program expands access to high-quality, relationship-based care for youth across the Commonwealth and helps grow a workforce that reflects the communities it serves. By combining best practices in mentoring and mental health, we’re laying the groundwork for a more responsive and resilient support system for young people.”
For more information and to enroll, visit: https://online.umb.edu/professional-development/mentorpro-academy/community-health-worker-training
Please email Dr. Werntz at ude.bmu@ztnrew.xela with questions.
