A National Certificate Program Built for Community Health Workers in DSMES Programs
The DSMES Community Support Specialist™ (DCSS™) Certificate Program provides community health workers with specialized training in the operational infrastructure of DSMES programs, including referral management, quality documentation, continuous quality improvement, and the National Standards for DSMES.
The National Alliance for DSMES Readiness provides the first and only training program designed to prepare community health workers for documentation and quality coordination roles within DSMES programs.
A specialized trianing experience for community health workers woring in or alongside DSMES programs
Community Health Workers
CHWs working in or alongside DSMES programs who want to strengthen their knowledge and skills in program operations.
Organizations and
Program Managers
Employers and program managers who support CHWs and want to build a strong, consistent approach to documentation and quality coordination within their DSMES programs
CHWs in clinical settings work alongside DSMES teams in outpatient practices and hospitals. They help bridge the gap between a provider's referral and a patient's first DSMES visit.
CHWs in this setting often:
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Follow up with patients after a DSMES referral is placed
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Support scheduling, reminders and attendance tracking
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Help maintain accurate records within program workflows
DCSS™ training prepares CHWs to support these operational tasks under the direction of the DSMES team.
Interested in the DCSS™ Certificate?
Join NADR at no cost to become part of our professional community and receive updates when the next DCSS™ Certificate cohort opens for enrollment.
Community
Health Workers strengthen the operational side
of DSMES programs
Community health workers play an important role on the DSMES team. The National Standards for DSMES recognize CHWs as team members who can reinforce self-management skills, support behavior change and provide ongoing support.
Yet many people who could benefit from DSMES never receive it. Referrals remain a challenge, and even when patients are referred, many do not attend.
Behind every DSMES program is also a significant amount of operational work. Programs must manage referrals and documentation while continuously evaluating data and improving quality.
Strengthening the Operational Side of DSMES
The DCSS™ Certificate prepares CHWs to support this work under the direction of the DSMES team. Training focuses on referral management, quality documentation and continuous quality improvement.
Program Overview
Designed for Working Community Health Workers
The DCSS™ Certificate combines flexible learning with opportunities to apply concepts to the day-to-day work of DSMES programs.
On-Demand
Learning
Live Learning
Sessions
Applied
Learning
Cohort
Experience
What to Expect
Complete course content on a schedule that works with your professional responsibilities.
Connect with instructors and other participants through scheduled virtual sessions.
Use practical examples and activities grounded in DSMES program operations.
Progress through the program alongside other community health workers supporting DSMES.
