Community Health Workers (CHWs) are a vital part of health and human services delivery in Michigan and are trusted members of the community served. They contribute in many ways by functioning as a consistent source of contact between care providers and individuals, providing case management and care coordination. CHWs influence the health of the community by providing outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support, and advocacy.
This course is based on the Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance (MiCHWA) curriculum and includes 40 hours of internship. MiCHWA will award the participants, upon successful completion of the course requirements, with a certificate. Students must be able to meet the essential functions of Community Health Worker occupation as defined by the MiCHWA. These duties include:
- Practice as a case manager and care coordinator
- Serve as a community-cultural liaison
- Perform health promotion activities and provide health coaching
- Provide home-based support to clients and their families
- Participate in outreach and community mobilization
- Gather data for research as needed
- Assist clients with healthcare system navigation
For more information about the program, contact Chris Patterson, Allied Health Department chair, at (231) 777-0689.
