Community health workers (CHWs) in Michigan play a vital role in bridging the gap between healthcare systems and the communities they serve, particularly in underserved and vulnerable populations. **What They Do** CHWs in Michigan serve as trusted links between community members and health and social services. Their work typically includes health education and outreach, patient navigation, chronic disease management support, connecting people to social services (food, housing, transportation), conducting home visits, and advocating for community members within healthcare systems. **Workforce and Demographics** Michigan has a growing CHW workforce, concentrated heavily in urban areas like Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, and Lansing, though rural CHWs are increasingly recognized as critical given Michigan's large rural population and healthcare access challenges. **Certification and Training** Michigan has made meaningful progress in formalizing the CHW profession. The Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance (MiCHWA) has been central to this effort. Michigan established a voluntary CHW certification program, which helps standardize training and competencies. Core competencies typically include communication, cultural humility, advocacy, service coordination, and health coaching. **Funding and Policy** A significant development in Michigan was the inclusion of CHW services as a reimbursable benefit under Medicaid, which has helped sustain and grow the workforce. This was a major advocacy win and allows health plans and providers to bill for CHW services. Federal funding through programs like HRSA and community benefit spending from health systems also support CHW programs. **Key Organizations** MiCHWA is the primary statewide alliance supporting CHWs through training, advocacy, and networking. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) also coordinates CHW integration into public health initiatives, including maternal and infant health, COVID-19 response, and chronic disease management. **Focus Areas** Michigan CHWs frequently work on issues that reflect the state's specific health challenges — addressing the impacts of environmental health crises like the Flint water crisis, high rates of infant mortality (particularly in Black communities), diabetes, cardiovascular disease, behavioral health, and substance use disorders. Would you like more detail on any particular aspect, like certification, Medicaid reimbursement, or CHW work in a specific region of Michigan?