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, informed counseling, social support and advocacy. (APHA, 2009)

The Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance (MICHWA) has partnered with the Detroit Health Department and the Detroit Recovery Project to provide the MICHWA standardized curriculum in Michigan.  The Community Health Worker Certificate Course is comprised of 126 hours and 40 internship hours.  This curriculum is designed to train frontline workers to provide culturally responsive services in Michigan communities Upon successful completion I will receive a Community Health Woker certificate from MICHWA!  Wish me luck!