Workgroups:

CHW Network Committee

The Michigan Community Health Worker Network group is a CHW-led group that seeks to maintain and strengthen a vibrant network of diverse CHWs and CHW allies who work collaboratively with other CHW networks nationwide to create a larger supportive community of CHWS for resource sharing and to impact policy and advocacy efforts. The group also seeks to ensure all Michigan CHWs have access to professional development opportunities.

Focus areas include:

• Establishing a vibrant network of diverse CHWs and CHW supporters throughout Michigan.
• Promoting CHW leaders to inform and direct the sustainability of CHWs.
• Acts as an advisory body to the MiCHWA Board of Directors as required to fulfill the mission of MiCHWA.

This committee shall approve and submit to the Board of Directors issues and proposed actions critical to support CHWs in training and/or practice.

The CHW Network Committee meets monthly on the 3rd Thursday from 11:00am-12:00pm

‍Chair: Brenda Smith, BBA, CHW
Staff Support: Angel Keyes

Education and Workforce

The Education and Workforce work group seeks to strengthen and support CHW workforce development and education in Michigan. This group is composed of CHW allies and MiCHWA trainers.

Focus areas include:

• Making recommendations regarding CHW certification and training core competencies.
• Assessing current CHW employment environment.
• Maintaining and improving CHW training curriculum.
• Evaluating Trainers for competency.

This group meets monthly on the 1st Thursday from 10:30am – 11:30am.

Chair: Susie Williamson, MA, MM, CHW
Staff Support: Dawn Rymal

Evaluation Work Group

The Evaluation Work Group seeks to provide evaluation-related guidance, technical assistance, and support to MiCWA by developing evaluation materials; reviewing and helping to interpret evaluation results; and reviewing evaluation reports and other approaches to dissemination.

Focus areas include:

• Gathering feedback from a wide range of stakeholders to improve the MiCHWA model and enhance its impact.
• Documenting the implementation of MiCHWA strategies for purposes of replication and expansion.
• Using evaluation results to improve the implementation effort and obtain funding for sustainability of MiCHWA and CHWs in Michigan.

This group meets on the fourth Monday of each month from 2:00pm – 3:00pm.

Chair: Mary Janevic, PhD
Staff Support: Miranda Bargert

Policy Work Group

The Policy Work Group seeks to identify and develop sustainable policies and financing mechanisms for CHWs in Michigan.

Focus areas include:

• Achieving policy change that supports and advocates for the sustainable integration of CHWs into Michigan’s health and human services systems
• Developing a business case for CHWs in Michigan.

This group meets monthly on the 3rd Wednesday of each rom 4:00pm – 5:00pm.

Chair: Ryan Grinnell-Ackerman MPA – MiCHWA Board President
Staff Support: Miranda Bargert