Welcome
Why CHWs for your organization?
A trained and skilled CHW workforce brings value to employers by promoting community engagement, improving health outcomes, increasing access to care, reducing costs, and fostering cultural competency. By recognizing and investing in the unique contributions of CHWs, employers can enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of their healthcare delivery and community outreach efforts.
Learn more about training opportunities for CHWs Here.
What Employers Need to Know About Medicaid Coverage of CHW/CHR Services
Beginning January 1, 2024, Michigan Medicaid will reimburse for Community Health Workers (CHWs) services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries. To be eligible for reimbursement, CHW providers must be approved on the MI Medicaid CHW Registry and actively enrolled as Medicaid providers in CHAMPS.
View the MDHHS MI Medicaid Policy 23-74 Bulletin to Learn More.
CHW Employers seeking additional information to assist CHWs in becoming providers can find resources on the Medicaid Professional Provider Alerts webpage. Employers may also sign up for the CHW Listserv topic to receive the latest MDHHS notifications.
Unlock the Power of Organizational Membership
Membership:
Elevate your organization’s commitment to advancing and recognizing Community Health Workers (CHWs) in Michigan. Enjoy exclusive benefits that enhance your engagement with the CHW profession, broaden your networks, and foster overall workforce growth. Seize the opportunity and unlock the power of organizational membership with MiCHWA.
Unlock the Power of Organizational Membership with MiCHWA
1. Access to the MiCHWA Registry:
Organizational membership provides valuable access to the MiCHWA registry, an essential resource for connecting with qualified CHWs. Whether you are looking to recruit new talent or manage your current CHW staff, the registry enables you to streamline the process and ensure you have access to a pool of skilled professionals.
2. Streamlined Management and Profile Building:
Membership allows your organization to easily purchase and manage CHW annual memberships through MiCHWA. By centralizing this process, you can efficiently oversee the memberships of your CHW staff. Additionally, you can build your organization’s profile, providing visibility and showcasing your commitment to the CHW profession.
3. Job Posting and Search:
MiCHWA membership empowers your organization to post job opportunities, attracting top CHW talent who align with your organization’s mission. Simultaneously, you can utilize the platform to search for CHW candidates who possess the skills and expertise you require.
4. Access to Free Continuing Education Opportunities:
Investing in the professional development of your CHW staff is crucial, and MiCHWA membership offers an invaluable perk. Your employees gain access to free Continuing Education Unit (CEU) opportunities, ensuring they stay up-to-date with the latest knowledge and best practices in the CHW field.
5. Networking and Collaboration:
MiCHWA provides a vibrant community where CHW employers and supervisors can network, collaborate, and exchange ideas. By participating in MiCHWA’s events and engaging with fellow members, you can tap into a wealth of collective wisdom, share best practices, and foster professional growth.
6. Advocacy and Support:
As a MiCHWA member, you have the opportunity to actively participate in advocacy events that promote the recognition and advancement of CHWs. Together, we can amplify the voice of CHWs, advocate for policy changes, and drive positive outcomes for the profession as a whole.
7. Access to News and Resources:
Stay informed and up-to-date with the latest news, research, and resources related to the CHW profession. MiCHWA membership ensures you receive timely updates and valuable information that can benefit your organization’s strategic planning and decision-making.
8. Request for CEU Approvals and Co-Marketing Opportunities:
MiCHWA membership allows your organization to request CEU approvals for internal trainings provided to your CHWs, emphasizing your dedication to their professional development. You can also collaborate with MiCHWA to co-market CEU opportunities, showcasing your organization’s expertise and leveraging the MiCHWA logo.
9. Scholarships and Priority Enrollment:
Scholarship opportunities are available to CHW staff within your organization, enabling them to access training and events that foster their growth and skill enhancement. CHWs also enjoy priority enrollment in MiCHWA training programs and events, ensuring they have priority access to valuable learning opportunities.
10. Enhanced Visibility and Exclusive Benefits:
As a MiCHWA member, your organization’s logo will be featured prominently as a partner on our website, expanding your visibility within the CHW community. Additionally, exclusive membership benefits through Working Advantage provide further advantages and savings for your organization and employees.
Lead the Way: JOIN OUR CHW POLICY WORKGROUP!
Policy Work Group
The Policy Work Group seeks to identify and develop sustainable policies and financing mechanisms for CHWs in Michigan.
This group meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 4:00pm – 5:00pm.
Chair: Ryan Grinnell-Ackerman, InterCare Community Health Network; CHW Co-Chair: Open
COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER SURVEY 2023: FINAL EVALUATION REPORT
2023 Community Health Worker Survey
Surveying the landscape of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in Michigan reveals three key themes. Firstly, concerns about low pay and limited upward mobility are prevalent among CHWs. Secondly, job insecurity and emotional burnout are significant challenges, with over half reporting funding security concerns and a substantial number grappling with burnout. Thirdly, the survey highlights the diverse nature of CHW roles, showcasing variations in caseloads and counties served. Notably, 87% of CHWs are women, with a little over half identifying as White and approximately one-third identified as Black, nearly all reported having some post-high school education. The report offers valuable insights into CHW experiences and challenges.
Explore the Full Report or View 2023 CHW Survey Results At A Glance.
The 2023 Community Health Worker Survey is the second statewide survey of CHWs in Michigan conducted by the Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance (MiCHWA) with support from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and its Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grant funding.
COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER EMPLOYER SURVEY 2022: FINAL EVALUATION REPORT
MiCHWA has conducted Community Health Worker (CHW) Employer surveys biennially since 2014, with funding support from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
One key finding from the 2022 CHW Employer survey underscores a positive trend in employer sentiments. While funding uncertainty remains a top concern, the survey reveals a noteworthy decline in overall worries related to program sustainability. This includes funding uncertainty, finding qualified CHWs, staff turnover, and support for the CHW role. In 2022, a smaller portion of programs expressed concerns compared to both 2018 and 2020, signaling a positive shift in the landscape. Particularly encouraging is the fact that 27% of programs reported having no concerns in 2022, a substantial increase from the 6% reported in 2020.
FIND TRAINING FOR CHWS
MICHWA Certified CHW Training Program
Find an upcoming training. MiCHWA provides a CHW certification training, and various microcredentials. MiCHWA also provides access to our member portal and registry where members find continuing education, resources, and other workforce development opportunities.
External Websites & Resources
MDHHS 2022 - 2024 Social Determinants of Health Strategy
The 2022-2024 MDHHS Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Strategy, entitled Michigan’s Roadmap to Healthy Communities, builds upon existing efforts to address the social determinants of health, with a focused approach to align efforts at the state and local level for a greater impact in communities.
National Association of Community Health Workers (NACHW)
Community Health Workers united nationally to support communities in achieving health, equity and social justice.
CHW Core Consensus Project (C3)
The C3 Project defines comprehensive CHW roles, skills, qualities. The C3 project establishes national consensus. The C3 Project provides guidance for improving CHW practice and policy.
CDC National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion CHW Resources
The resources on the Community Health Worker Resources webpage are collected from programs across CDC that host materials pertinent to CHWs. These resources should be helpful not only to CHWs but also to those who work with them.
