Our Goal
Our goal is to identify and develop sustainable policies and financing mechanisms for CHWs in Michigan.
Objectives
- Analyze and disseminate data from data and finance ad hoc groups that summarizes potential CHW payment models
- Identify processes, mechanisms, and outreach strategies needed to include CHWs as paid or reimbursed providers or health care team members within Medicaid, Medicaid Managed Care, Medicare, and other insurance products, on an ongoing basis; disseminate a policy statement to relevant policy and financing stakeholders on this objective
- Monitor and seek opportunities to collaborate with partners and State-level projects that could impact CHW sustainability in Michigan
- In collaboration with the MiCHWA Communications working group, create additional products to be used in communications with decision makers (state legislators, health systems, etc.) and maintain existing documents throughout the year
The MiCHWA Policy and Finance work group seeks to achieve comprehensive policy change and sustainable financing for community health worker (CHW) services in Michigan. The group created a policy brief that was finalized by MiCHWA’s Steering Committee. Group members are also compiling data for a CHW business case, identifying studies and programs that collect return on investment or cost effectiveness data at the state and national level.
Leadership
City/Location: Muskegon, MI
Program/Agency: Health Project, A Community Benefit Ministry of Mercy Health
Why is your working group important for achieving CHW sustainability in Michigan? To end the cycle of short term programs and limited career choices, we need strong policy and finance mechanisms in place that will include CHWs as paid or reimbursed members of the health care team.
Why are you involved with CHWs? I believe in community activism and empowering the individual and Community Heath Workers are some of the best grassroots community activists that I know!
Brief Bio: Tressa Crosby, is a Lead Community Health Worker at the Health Project/Mercy Health in Muskegon, MI. Tressa has over ten years of experience as a CHW. She serves in a peer supervisory role for Pathways to Better Health of the Lakeshore and Pathways to a Healthy Pregnancy, programs which provide care coordination for individuals with chronic disease and at-risk pregnant women. Tressa is experienced in community organizing around social justice issues including childhood lead poisoning prevention, mentoring children of prisoners and addressing issues of homelessness.
Tressa currently serves as co-chair of the MiCHWA Policy and Finance Working Group and has been member of the Steering Committee sine 2014. Tressa believes that CHWs are powerful agents in addressing the social determinants of health, access to care and inspiring positive behavior change.
City/Location: Charlevoix, MI
Program/Agency: Health Department of Northwest Michigan
Why is your working group important for achieving CHW sustainability in Michigan? I believe that the key to sustainability of all of these great CHW roles and programs is going to be the widespread support of many partners as well as consistency in the role. I believe that potential payors want to know what they can expect in terms of outcomes and cost. I have been very impressed with the work the policy and finance group has done so far and I believe that it is the right path to a sustainable model.
Why are you involved with CHWs? No matter what area the CHW is working in, it is clear that this work is having a positive impact on health outcomes by addressing the social determinants of health. I believe that they are a vital part of the health care team who are able to move beyond the traditional borders of health care into the communities where people live and truly help them overcome barriers to needed care and services.
Interested In Getting Involved?
Meetings are open to all interested parties. To join the next call, fill out our contact form and check off “Policy & Finance.”