Workforce development

Our workforce development efforts are focused on strengthening a thriving, culturally rooted Indigenous public health workforce. We invest in building the capacity of individuals and systems to support Native professionals, paraprofessionals, and community-based workers in leading and delivering high-quality, culturally grounded care.

This includes supporting the training, advancement, and integration of Community Health Aides (CHA), Behavioral Health Aides (BHA), Community Health Representatives (CHR) and other frontline providers who serve as trusted healers and connectors within their communities.

Tribal Disease Investigation Workforce Development & Training

Building a Strong, Culturally Grounded Disease Investigation Workforce Across Indian Country

The Raven Collective’s Tribal Disease Investigation (TDI) Workforce Development and Training Program strengthens the people, systems, and relationships needed to respond to rising rates of syphilis, HIV, hepatitis C, and other syndemic conditions impacting Tribal Nations. Designed by Indigenous public health professionals and developed with Tribal partners across the country, this training series prepares new and existing staff to provide effective, culturally grounded, and sovereignty-respecting disease investigation services.

Our approach blends public health science, syndemic and Indigenous frameworks, and on-the-ground teachings from Tribal communities to create meaningful, practical, and relationally strong training experiences.

What Makes the Training Unique?

Indigenous-Led

The curriculum centers Indigenous health knowledge, relational accountability, language, culture, and the strengths of Tribal communities.

Syndemic-Informed

We integrate the intersections of infectious diseases, substance use, mental health, stigma, and social determinants of health — because in Tribal communities, no condition exists in isolation.

Practical & Skills-Based

Modules include interview practice, contact elicitation strategies, field safety, problem-solving approaches, and real-world scenarios.

Built for the I/T/U Landscape

Participants learn how to navigate Indian Health Service, Tribal, and Urban systems — and how they interact with state and local public health, reporting rules, MOUs/DSAs, and data sovereignty.

Culturally and Clinically Grounded

From understanding 2SLGBTQ+ client experiences to integrating harm reduction, PrEP, and DoxyPEP into investigations, the curriculum meets communities where they are.

Who This Training Is For?

Tribal epidemiologists

Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS)

Public health nurses

Community health workers

Community Health Representatives

Community Health Aides

Behavioral health and SUD staff

Public health program staff

Clinic Staff

Anyone new to disease investigation in Tribal communities

Our Approach: Relational, Indigenous, and Strength-Based

At the heart of this training is a belief: Disease investigation is not just a technical role — it is relationship work. It requires trust, respect, cultural understanding, and the ability to navigate systems while centering the sovereignty and strengths of Tribal Nations.

The Raven Collective integrates:

  • Indigenous teachings on balance and relationality

  • Strength-based and trauma-informed approaches

  • Community wisdom

  • Modern public health science

  • Harm reduction and client-centered care

  • Data sovereignty and Tribal governance principles

Because when communities are supported to lead their own disease investigation work, health systems become stronger, more relevant, and more effective.

Ready to Bring TDI Training to Your Community?

We would be honored to support your workforce. We offer fully tailored training plans, in-person or virtual delivery, and follow-up technical assistance to strengthen long-term capacity and systems integration. Contact us for more information!

Indigenous Syndemic Pathway for Community Health Professionals (CHPs)

Strengthening the Frontline Workforce Through Story, Skills, and Indigenous Knowledge

Community Health Professionals are the heart of Tribal public health. They are the relatives who show up to check on elders, walk alongside families through grief and wellness, provide testing and education, and help navigate the complex systems our people face every day.

The Indigenous Syndemic Pathway (ISP) training series is designed to honor this frontline workforce and equip them with culturally grounded, practical tools to address the interconnected conditions impacting Native communities — HIV, Hepatitis C (HCV), STIs, and Substance Use Disorders (SUD) — using an Indigenous lens and a strengths-based approach.

This training is built from the belief that health happens in relationships, stories, and the pathways we walk together — not just in clinics or data systems.

What Makes the ISP CHP Training Unique?

Indigenous-Led and Community-Rooted

Grounded in Indigenous history, knowledge, teachings, and cultural strengths. The curriculum uplifts the role of CHRs, health aides, peer navigators, and case managers as essential community healers.

Syndemic-Informed and Holistic

HIV, HCV, STIs, SUD, mental health, trauma, stigma, and structural factors are taught as interconnected — because they are. CHPs learn to see the whole picture.

Practical Skills for Real-World Practice

Role plays, mock interviews, case studies, and storytelling help participants apply what they learn in their daily work.

Stigma-Reducing and Compassion-Centered

CHPs learn how to talk about testing, substance use, sexual health, and safety in ways that strengthen trust and reflect Indigenous values of dignity and connection.

Fully Customizable to Each Tribal Community

Modules can be adapted based on your team’s experience, priorities, and time. Included sessions range from 1 to 3 hours and can be delivered in person or online.

Who Should Attend?

This training is designed for the people on the front lines of care in Tribal Nations:

Community Health Representatives

Community Health Aides & Practitioners

Peer Navigators

Community Health Educators

Case Managers & Social Workers

Traditional Health Providers

Public Health Program Staff

Anyone serving American Indian/Alaska Native relatives

Bring ISP CHP Training to Your Community

The Raven Collective offers:

  • Fully customized agendas

  • On-site or virtual delivery

  • Pre- and post-training support

  • Optional skills workshops (e.g., rapid testing skill labs)

  • Integration with your program’s goals, workflows, and systems

Contact us for more information!