WVW ACADEMY · WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Building the next generation of healing-centered wellness professionals — led by someone who's actually done the work.

WVW Academy offers a Maryland Department of Health-accredited Community Health Worker certification program and professional credential tracks for adults ready to do serious work in serious communities. Rooted in Washington DC and Maryland, serving learners nationwide.

Led by Tiána, a New Yorker with direct experience in operations, HR, and Activity Director roles inside nonprofits and behavioral health organizations. Every program at WVW Academy is shaped by real frontline knowledge — not just theory.

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THE ACADEMY

Not a continuing education program. A professional development infrastructure.

WVW Academy is the education and workforce development arm of Wholistic Vibes Wellness — training practitioners at the intersection of community health, organizational wellness, and neuroinclusion. Our programs are rigorous, culturally grounded, and built around real-world application. Organizations can also enroll staff as a workforce development benefit, building internal capacity that outlasts any single consulting engagement.

Program at a Glance

Everything you need to know before you apply.

Format
100% Virtual · Microsoft Teams
Duration
14 Weeks · 11 Modules
Total Hours
138 Hours
35 live · 63 async · 40 practicum
Start Date
August 4, 2026
Orientation July 30, 2026
Location
Capitol Heights, MD
Cohort Size
25 Seats Maximum
Accreditation
Maryland DOH · COMAR 10.68.02
Tuition
$1,800
$250 non-refundable deposit
Apply By
July 18, 2026
Application deadline
Review Period
July 21–24, 2026
Applications reviewed
Decision Day
July 27, 2026
Admission decisions sent
Curriculum

11 modules. 14 weeks. No fillers.

Each module is rooted in healing-centered, evidence-based practice and maps directly to the Maryland CHW core competencies.

01

Foundations of Community Health Work

History of the CHW profession, roles and scope of practice, ethics, and professional identity.

02

Social Determinants of Health

Understanding the structural, economic, and environmental factors that shape health outcomes in communities.

03

Health Communication & Outreach

Motivational interviewing, culturally responsive communication, and outreach strategies for underserved populations.

04

Care Coordination & Navigation

Connecting clients to resources, navigating the healthcare system, and care plan documentation basics.

05

Mental Health & Trauma-Informed Practice

Recognizing mental health needs, trauma-informed approaches, boundaries, and appropriate referrals.

06

Chronic Disease Prevention & Management

Supporting clients managing diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic conditions through education and accountability.

07

Community Advocacy & Systems Navigation

Health policy literacy, advocacy skills, and understanding how systems — housing, food, legal — intersect with health.

08

Practicum Integration & Professional Capstone

Supervised field practicum hours, reflective practice, and a capstone presentation demonstrating readiness for certification.

09

Module 09 · Title to be announced

Part of the expanded 11-module curriculum. Final title and module detail will be published shortly.

10

Module 10 · Title to be announced

Part of the expanded 11-module curriculum. Final title and module detail will be published shortly.

11

Module 11 · Title to be announced

Part of the expanded 11-module curriculum. Final title and module detail will be published shortly.

Learning Outcomes

What you'll be able to do when you graduate.

  • Conduct comprehensive health needs assessments using culturally responsive tools
  • Navigate clients through complex healthcare, housing, and social service systems
  • Apply motivational interviewing and trauma-informed communication
  • Support chronic disease self-management education in community settings
  • Document client interactions in compliance with organizational and legal standards
  • Advocate for clients and communities within institutional and policy settings
Practicum Requirements

Supervised field hours are embedded — not optional.

Practicum is woven into Module 8 and runs alongside coursework throughout the program. Placement is coordinated by WVW Academy in partnership with community health organizations in the Capitol Heights area. Students complete a minimum of required supervised hours with a qualified preceptor at an approved site.

Certification Pathway

A clear line from graduation to MDH credential.

Upon successful program completion, graduates apply directly to the Maryland Department of Health for their official CHW certification under COMAR 10.68.02. WVW Academy guides you through the MDH OneStop submission process step by step.

MDH CHW Certification Info
Tuition & Financial Options

We believe cost should not be the reason someone doesn't become a CHW.

Tuition for Cohort 1 is $1,800, which includes a $250 non-refundable deposit to secure your seat. Payment plans split the balance into installments across the program. Employer reimbursement, scholarship opportunities, and sliding scale options may be available — contact us to discuss your situation before applying. We will not let finances be a barrier to the right candidate.

Payment Plans Available

Tuition can be split into installments across the program duration. Accepted students receive a financial options packet at enrollment.

Employer Reimbursement

Many healthcare employers reimburse CHW training costs. CHW services may also be Medicaid-reimbursable in Maryland — making this a strategic investment for your organization.

Scholarships & Sliding Scale

Limited need-based scholarships are available for Cohort 1. Sliding scale options are considered on a case-by-case basis for qualifying applicants.

PROGRAMS

What we offer.

CHW Certification. Four professional credential tracks. Organizational training. One commitment: practitioners ready to do real work in real communities.

Flagship Program

Community Health Worker (CHW) Certification

State Accredited
Maryland Department of Health
Certificate #034-2026-G  ·  Valid through April 2029
COMAR 10.68.02  ·  Maryland Health-General Article, Title 13 §3705

Enrolling Now — State-Accredited Program

Duration 138 hours (35 live + 63 async + 40 practicum)
Format 100% Virtual · Microsoft Teams
Credential Awarded State-Recognized Maryland CHW Certificate
Accrediting Body Maryland Department of Health, Office of Population Health Improvement

Accredited by the Maryland Department of Health (#034-2026-G). Graduates earn a state-recognized CHW certification and are prepared to work in behavioral health, primary care, social service, and community-based settings — grounded in healing-centered practice and trauma-informed care.

What you'll learn
  • Foundations of community health work and social determinants of health
  • Trauma-informed and healing-centered practice models
  • Behavioral health navigation and de-escalation
  • Motivational interviewing fundamentals
  • Systems navigation: healthcare, housing, social services
  • Documentation, data, and organizational accountability
  • Neuroinclusion and cognitive diversity in community health settings
  • Self-care, secondary trauma, and sustainable practice
Who it's for

Adults with lived experience in the communities they'll serve. People working in or transitioning into behavioral health, community health, social services, or nonprofit settings. Professionals seeking to formalize and credential their practice with a state-recognized certification.

Apply Now View Accreditation Certificate
Professional Credentials

WVW Academy Credential Tracks

Cohort Forming — Join the Waitlist

WVW Academy offers four professional credential tracks for practitioners working at the intersection of organizational wellness, community health, and systems change. Each credential is stackable — practitioners can move through tracks as their expertise deepens.

The Four Credentials
  • WAA — Wellness Audit Analyst: Foundational credential for practitioners who conduct organizational health assessments. Covers validated diagnostic instruments, data analysis, and findings interpretation.
  • WCA — Wellness Consultant Associate: For consultants developing the full advisory practice — assessment, recommendations, and implementation support. Entry-level practitioner credential.
  • WCS — Wellness Consultant Specialist: Advanced credential for experienced consultants. Covers complex systems redesign, neuroinclusion architecture, and multi-stakeholder engagement at the organizational level.
  • WEP — Wellness Education Practitioner: For practitioners focused on training delivery and workforce development. Covers curriculum design, facilitation, adult learning, and cohort program management.
Credential Format

All credential tracks are cohort-based with limited seats. Cohorts include live instruction, peer practice, case work, and a practicum component. Stackable by design — WAA is the recommended starting credential for most practitioners.

Join the Credential Waitlist
ⓘ  Important Notes About WVW Academy Programs

Scope of training: WVW Academy programs are professional development and certification training. They are not clinical education, licensed therapy supervision, or substitutes for licensed professional credentials in mental health, social work, or medicine.

CHW certification: The WVW CHW Certification Training Program is accredited by the Maryland Department of Health (Certificate #034-2026-G) under COMAR 10.68.02. Graduates earn a state-recognized CHW certification in Maryland. Recognition in other states may vary; participants outside Maryland are responsible for confirming any additional state-specific requirements.

Data & privacy: All participant data collected during programs is handled confidentially, used only for program administration, and never shared with third parties without consent.

Read our full Disclaimers & Legal page →

Apply — Cohort 1

Applications for Cohort 1 are open.

The WVW Academy CHW Certification Program is now enrolling — seats are limited to 25. Complete the application below to secure your place. The program starts August 4, 2026 (orientation July 30), and the application deadline is July 18, 2026.

Cohort 1 · Starts August 4, 2026 · 25 Seats

Apply for Cohort 1

Now enrolling — 25 seats maximum, and this cohort is selective. Tuition is $1,800 ($250 non-refundable deposit). Application deadline: July 18, 2026.

Open Application Form →

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Questions? Email academy@wvwacademy.com

WVW Academy's CHW Certification Program aligns with nationally recognized CHW core competencies as defined by APHA and relevant state health authority frameworks. We are committed to program design that supports employment recognition. Specific employer recognition varies — we encourage prospective students to discuss this with their current or prospective employers.
Instruction is delivered 100% virtually over Microsoft Teams — there are no in-person classroom requirements. Live sessions are scheduled, instructor-led classes (35 hours total) focused on skill-building, simulation, and community; asynchronous modules (63 hours) are self-paced with instructor support. In addition, students complete 40 supervised practicum hours in a community health setting, which WVW Academy helps coordinate. All you need to participate is a reliable internet connection and a device with a camera.
No prior professional experience is required. WVW Academy's CHW program is designed for adults who may be entering the health workforce for the first time, including those with lived experience as community members. What we look for is commitment, self-awareness, and a genuine orientation toward community service.
Tuition for Cohort 1 is $1,800, which includes a $250 non-refundable deposit to reserve your seat. Payment plans are available to split the remaining balance into installments across the program. We are also pursuing grant and employer-partnership funding to support participant subsidies, and limited need-based scholarships are available for Cohort 1.
Yes — organizational wellness training is designed for teams and organizations. Contact us to discuss scope, scheduling, and pricing for group engagements. Most training engagements begin with a brief needs assessment to ensure relevance.

WVW Consulting

Looking for organizational culture consulting? That's the other half of what we do.

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