The updates to the Texas competencies are minor but significant.

Several existing competencies have been renamed and their scope expanded to include additional skill sets and responsibilities.

• Interpersonal Skills has changed to Interpersonal and Relationship-Building Skills
• Service Coordination Skills has changed to Service Coordination and Navigation Skills
• Teaching Skills has changed to Teaching and Education Skills

Additionally, a new core competency has been added:

• Evaluation and Research Skills

The updates also include changes to the wording of some skill descriptions.

Training centers can review the Core Competency Detailed Changes for more information to update training curricula. 

The Evaluation and Research Skills training module must prepare CHWs and CHWIs to:

• Identify important concerns and conduct evaluation and research to better understand root causes.
• Apply the evidence-based practices of Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) and Participatory Action Research (PAR)
• Participate in evaluation and research processes.
• Participate in individual assessment through observation and active inquiry.
• Participate in community assessment through observation and active inquiry.
• Collaborate with other educators.

Minimum requirements for each core competency module can be found in the Core Competency Detailed Changes.

The following resources may assist in developing the curricula for this competency. These resources are provided for informational purposes only and do not represent an endorsement by DSHS.

• Foundations for Community Health Workers, 3rd Edition. By Jossey-Bass, 2024. The 3^rd edition includes a new chapter on research and evaluation.
• Advancing Research Best Practices for CHWs and Promotoras. This free self-paced course has five modules. It focuses on research and does not cover evaluation.

Yes, training centers are required to update their current CHW and CHW instructor initial certification course curricula to incorporate the updated core competencies. DSHS must certify the updated curricula.

Refer to question number six below for the due dates to submit your updated curricula.  

Yes, the updated initial certification curriculum must have a minimum of 180 hours. The curriculum must consist of at least nine modules, with one module for each of the nine CHW core competencies. It should include 20 hours for each of the nine CHW core competencies. The lessons and activities in each module must align with the learning objectives outlined in the CHW Core Competencies Update. 

Any new curricula submitted to DSHS for review on or after February 1, 2026, must align with the new enhanced core competencies.

Training centers have two specific deadlines to certify their updated initial training curricula:

• July 31, 2026 – Training centers must submit the new 20-hour “Evaluation and Research Skills” training module curriculum, and it must be certified by DSHS.
• August 1, 2026 – Training centers must be using curricula that align with the new core competencies. Each training center that has not certified the complete initial certification course curriculum by this date, must submit the complete updated curriculum to be certified by DSHS by the next training center recertification date (due every two years).

Training centers may submit applications early to recertify the complete initial certification course curriculum, including the new “Evaluation and Research Skills” training module.  

Training centers may begin using updated curricula on February 1, 2026, if they have been certified by DSHS.

From February 1, 2026, to July 31, 2026, training centers with a DSHS-certified new 20-hours “Evaluation and Research Skills” training module curriculum can use it in combination with the current initial course curricula to offer a 180-hours initial certification course. 

The latest date training centers can use the current initial certification course curricula is July 31, 2026.

DSHS will not approve new continuing education curricula based on outdated competencies after February 1, 2026. 

Training centers can find the DSHS curriculum submission packet on the CHW and Instructor Training Programs webpage.

DSHS will provide updated templates and resources on the CHW Core Competencies Update webpage as they become available.

It is important to note that DSHS CHW Program does not offer training on Evaluation and Research or other core competencies. CHWIs should seek external recommendations and resources for training. 

Some training centers have offered to share updated curricula after DSHS approves them. DSHS will create and maintain a list of shared curricula as it becomes available. Training centers wishing to borrow a curriculum must review the CHW Program Policy for guidance and requirements to use shared curricula.   

DSHS does not anticipate high costs associated with training centers updating their CHW initial certification curricula. DSHS guidance on updated core competencies is now available on the CHW Program website to assist in these updates. In addition, some certified training centers will share their DSHS-certified curriculum to help minimize any costs for implementing the new competencies.