The CHW toolkit compiles promising practices and resources to support rural communities seeking to develop CHW programs. The target audiences for the toolkit are rural organizations including healthcare providers; nonprofit organizations; faith-based organizations; businesses; networks; and community-based organizations.
The MDHHS SDOH Strategy identifies CHWs as a strategic imperative to improve health outcomes and advance health equity. Extensive efforts are ongoing to better support the CHW workforce and ensure more Michigan residents are able to benefit from CHW services.
MDHHS also has multiple resources to help start the process of CHWs’ services being paid for by Medicaid.
The purpose of the Medicaid policy is to establish coverage criteria for CHW services as a component of Medicaid services effective for dates of service on and after January 1, 2024. Community Health Worker services are provided as preventive services pursuant to 42 CFR Section 440.130(c).
MDHHS has created a step-by-step guide for your organization to become an approved Michigan Medicaid CHW provider.
The Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance (MiCHWA) has created a resource to compare the language of the Medicaid Coverage of CHW/Community Health Representative (CHR) Services policy as it was proposed and as it is written in its final form to be included in Michigan’s Medicaid State Plan.
The MI Medicaid CHW Registry is a database of CHWs who have met qualification criteria required to provide CHW services to Medicaid beneficiaries in Michigan. Individuals can become certified CHWs through either the CHW Training Program Pathway or the Work Experience Pathway.
MiCHWA describes the minimum requirements needed of a CHW/CHR training program. MiCHWA’s review of the submitted curriculums ensures they align with the National Core Competency Standards competencies & sub-skills, as directed by Michigan Medicaid policy MMP 23-74.
Paige Recker
Access to Rural Care Manager
paige.recker@affiliate.msu.edu