Community-based approach to addressing the training, retention, and placement of community health workers using state workforce development funding

This session will describe a collaborative effort of organizations across the public health system to engage in workforce development for community health workers (CHWs), employing a participatory method to engage stakeholders to address training, retention and placement needs. CHWs create a bridge between health, social and community services and community members, especially for underserved and hard-to-reach populations.

The Community Health Michigan Regional Skills Alliance of Wayne County represents a collaboration of employers, educators, trainers and statewide employer associations dedicated to improving career paths for CHWs. The lead organizations in the Alliance are the Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, the local health department for the City of Detroit, and the Michigan Public Health Training Center at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Seed money from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth, through their program of Regional Skills Alliances, and in-kind support from the lead organizations has helped fund the activities for the first year of this program.

This session will also share lessons learned from the experience of the Alliance in conducting a needs assessment survey of employers of CHWs; developing a certificate program at a local community college to enhance the career path of CHWs efforts to integrate a successful training program of CHWs into the certificate curriculum; and developing a strategic plan for the ongoing activities of the Alliance.