The MHA has multiple higher education partners that recently received Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grants to increase the number of community health workers (CHW) and health support workers (HSW), and these institutions are looking to partner with hospitals on training and placement of these workers.
Opportunities include:
- West Michigan – Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC): The purpose of the GRCC program is to increase the number of CHW and HSW (certified nursing assistants (CNA), medical assistants (MA) and direct support professionals) and equip them with the skills needed to provide effective community outreach. GRCC will be training new CHW and HSW, including completion of hybrid coursework and internship/field placements or registered apprenticeships. GRCC has partnered with West Michigan Works to create a new CHW registered apprenticeship program and is looking for partners in this area. GRCC is also seeking field placement sites where non-incumbent CHW students can complete internships during their training. Hospitals with incumbent workers who may not have a certification in CHW, MA, CNA and direct support workers and would like to obtain one, the GRCC HRSA grant can cover any tuition cost for them to obtain certification through GRCC. Any hospital interested in these GRCC programs should contact Diego Roman at GRCC.
- Southeast Michigan – Wayne State University: Wayne State University is partnering with the Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance on a CHW academy through a HRSA grant held by the Alliance. The Academy works with organizations who require the services of CHWs to understand their employment needs and then develop recruitment, hiring, training, supervision, and professional development plans that are uniquely tailored to the CHW employment needs of the organization. In addition, the Academy also provides customized trainings for individuals seeking to gain employment as a CHW. All services are guided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Core Public Health Competencies and Essential Public Health Services. Hospitals interested in learning more or in partnering should contact Nate McCaughtry, PhD, academy director at WSU.
Members with general questions about partnering with higher education may contact Erin Steward at the MHA.