Community Health Workers & Michigan: An Update from MiCHWA

Transcription

1 Community Health Workers & Michigan: An Update from MiCHWA SIXTH ANNUAL SPECTRUM HEALTH CHW CONFERENCE August 21, 2013 Grand Rapids, Michigan Grand Rapids Community College Katie Mitchell, MSW MiCHWA Project Coordinator MiCHWA is supported by a grant to the University of Michigan School of Social Work from the

2 Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance (MiCHWA) The Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance s mission is to promote and sustain the integration of community health workers into Michigan s health and human service systems through coordinated changes in policy and workforce development.

3 MiCHWA s Partners

4 Celebrating 2 Years: Come Join Us!

5 What does MiCHWA do? 1. Strengthen and maintain the infrastructure of MiCHWA 2. Strengthen and support CHW workforce development and education in Michigan 3. Identify and develop sustainable policies and financing mechanisms for CHWs in Michigan 4. Develop and sustain effective communication mechanisms for MiCHWA and CHWs in Michigan 5. Grow and strengthen a vibrant network of diverse CHWs and CHW supporters throughout Michigan 6. Develop and implement a process, context, and outcome evaluation of MiCHWA

6 CHW Definition A Community Health Worker (CHW) is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the CHW to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. A CHW also builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support and advocacy. American Public Health Association, Community Health Worker Section 2009

7 What are CHWs called in Michigan? Camp Health Aide Case Work Aide Community Care Coordinator Community Health Advocate Community Health Promoter Community Health Worker Community Neighborhood Navigator Community Outreach Worker Family Health Advocate HIV Peer Counselor Lay Health Advisor Maternal Child Health Worker Neighborhood Health Advisor Outreach Specialist Parent Support Partner Patient Health Navigator Patient Navigator Peer Support Specialist Promotor(a) de Salud Public Health Aide Recovery Coach Weight Loss Counselor Source: Rush CH. Promoting policy and systems change to expand employment of community health workers (CHWs). Centers for Disease Control Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Control. Updated November 14, Accessed July 8, Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance Employer Survey 2012.

8 CHWs in Michigan How long have they been here? CHWs were first trained to provide services in Michigan in the 1960s Where do they provide services? Homes, clinics, community centers, schools, hospitals Who employs them? CHWs & supporters pose at the MDPH Advocate Conference in the early 1990s. Photo courtesy of Rebeca Guzman. Non-profits, health systems, Federally Qualified Health Centers, government agencies, academic or research institutions Programs including Healthy Start and the Maternal Infant Health Program at some program sites Source: Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance Employer Survey 2012.

9 What do CHWs do in Michigan? Health Areas in which CHWs work Cancer Screening & Prevention Diabetes Enrollment Heart Disease Housing Hypertension Infant Mortality Maternal/Child Health Migrant Health Nutrition School-based health Photo courtesy of Rebeca Guzman and Anne Lee Source: Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance Employer Survey 2012.

10 How do CHWs connect? MiCHWA Meetings & Events Social Gatherings Training Opportunities Left: CHWs at WHLI training in Oscoda; Below: CHWs at the Grand Rapids Regional Meeting; Right: CHWs at the Detroit Regional Potluck in June

11 Connecting Online Facebook: Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance Website: YouTube: MichiganCHWAlliance

12 Getting Involved Attend a CHW Network in-person meeting (~3 times per year) Participate in a working group via conference call once per month Become a working group co-leader Join MiCHWA s Steering Committee Raise awareness about CHWs during CHW Month and beyond Attend the MiCHWA Annual Meeting on October 9, 2013 CHW Octavia Smith helps report her group s results at the MiCHWA Regional Meeting on certification in Detroit.

13 Education & Workforce The Education & Workforce Working Group seeks to learn about CHW education in Michigan and elsewhere in order to make recommendations to MiCHWA s Steering Committee concerning CHW curriculum, certification, and definition of CHW scope of practice. Education & Workforce Working Group 2013 Activities Finalize curriculum recommendations for CHW education in Michigan Identify CHW education delivery models Discuss CHW continuing education and grandfathering Collaborate with employers statewide

14 Policy & Finance The MiCHWA Policy and Finance working group seeks to achieve comprehensive policy change and sustainable financing for community health worker (CHW) services in Michigan. Policy & Finance Working Group 2013 Activities Achieve policy change that supports and advocates for the sustainable integration of CHWs into Michigan s health and human service systems as a member for the service delivery team Collaborate with mental health and physical health agencies Partner with other organizations working on CHW policy Aggregate data related to CHW outcomes and ROI as evidence

15 Communications The MiCHWA Communications working group seeks to promote the Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance through communications internally, by supporting working groups media needs, and externally by disseminating MiCHWA materials to the public. Communications Working Group 2013 Activities Build MiCHWA s Web presence, including social media like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, and improve Web site reach Create outreach materials for CHWs, employers, and other stakeholders as part of a CHW awareness campaign Support MiCHWA s working groups by assisting in information dissemination and packaging

16 Michigan CHW Network The CHW Network is a CHW-led working group focused on supporting the profession and promoting CHW leadership. In working to move the CHW profession forward, it is essential that CHWs form a network so that CHWs have a voice in determining their future. Michigan CHW Network Working Group 2013 Activities Promote CHW leaders that will inform and direct the sustainability of CHWs Create a larger supportive community of CHWs for resource sharing and to impact policy and advocacy efforts Make recommendations on CHW grandfathering, certification, and policy Support other working groups by offering CHW insight and perspective

17 Spread the Word: CHW Month August is CHW Appreciation Month! Share about CHWs with your community, co-workers, or others Join a MiCHWA working group or consider co-leading a group! Help us make a CHW mural put your name on a puzzle piece at the MiCHWA table Grab a CHW Bumper Sticker at the MiCHWA Table: $1 each Connect with us online

18 CHW Bumper Sticker Slogan Contest Congrats to Octavia Smith of Western Wayne Family Health Centers in Inkster, Michigan! 1. Share about CHWs with a 2. Join a MiCHWA working group 3. Spread the word about MiCHWA! Download toolkits on MiCHWA s website Send out the link to MiCHWA s website Connect with us on social media

19 Save-the-Date: Annual Meeting Registration opens Friday, August 23! October 9, 2013 Lansing, MI

20 Final Thoughts: Call to Action Be a part of promoting and sustaining community health workers in Michigan 1. Join MiCHWA 2. Join a MiCHWA working group 3. Spread the word about MiCHWA! Download toolkits on MiCHWA s website Send out the link to MiCHWA s website Connect with us on social media

21 Thank You KATIE MITCHELL, MSW Project Coordinator Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance Sonia, a Spectrum Health CHW, assists a client understand her baby carrier. Photo courtesy of James Graessle. For more information about MiCHWA Please visit our website, SAVE THE DATE MiCHWA s Annual Meeting is October 9, 2013 in Lansing MiCHWA is supported by a grant to the University of Michigan School of Social Work from the